Arlene Connolly-O’Neill with her children
Residents in Yonkers and Eastchester were saddened and shocked to hear the news first reported by the Yonkers Police Department. At just after 7:00 AM on October 16, 2024, the Yonkers Police Department received a report of an unconscious person in a home located at 142 Chittenden Avenue in this City. Upon arrival, units located two adults- one male, apparently deceased, with a gunshot wound to his head, and one female with several gunshot wounds to her body.First responders attempted life-saving measures on the female, who unfortunately succumbed to her wounds and was pronounced deceased on the scene.
he male is identified as 54-year-old Sean O’Neill, and the female is identified as 47-year-old Arlene O’Neill. Detectives from the Major Case Squad and Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene to investigate. The investigation yielded that this was an apparent murder-suicide between a husband and wife who resided at that location. Investigators determined that a dispute took place, resulting in Sean O’Neill shooting Arlene O’Neill multiple times with a handgun before turning the weapon on himself. Sean O’Neill was identified as a retired NYPD Police Officer, and Arlene O’Neill was identified as a teacher in the Eastchester Union Free School District. The couple has three children who were home at the time of the incident but were physically unharmed. They are currently in the custody of family members. The City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Police Department extend our condolences to the family and friends of the O’Neill family.”
The Eastchester Board of Education issued the following statement. “Mrs. O’Neill was not just an exceptional teacher but also a cherished member of our community who touched the lives of countless students and colleagues.
We will all miss Arlene very much and will spend many difficult moments grieving her loss. We are extremely grateful for the additional resources and support from our neighboring school districts and BOCES. Let us hold Mrs. O’Neill and her family in our hearts and remember the joy and passion she brought into our lives.”
Arlene O’Neill was a 5th grade teacher at the Anne Hutchinson School in Eastchester. She grew up in Yonkers and attended Sacred Heart High School. One of her friends created a GoFundMe page for the three children- Sean, 15, Brendan, 13, and Nolan, 11, who attend the Eastchester schools.
“Arlene Connolly O’Neill (Yonkers, NY) a truly remarkable individual: a dedicated, hardworking teacher for over 25 years in the Eastchester School District, a fearless mother, a thoughtful sister and a kind friend. Arlene has spent countless hours shaping the minds of her students, all while raising her three incredible boys, who were her greatest pride and joy.
“Arlene exemplified strength, kindness, and resilience. She poured her heart into both her classroom and her home, always putting others before herself. Arlene’s life was tragically taken on October 16, 2024. Her boys will now face the challenge of growing up without their rock, their advocate, and their best friend.
“Your generous contributions will go directly towards Sean, Brendan and Nolan’s education, their talents in both music and sports that Arlene worked so hard to encourage and support. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in the lives of her boys,” reads the GoFundMe Page.
So far GoFundMe has raised over $733,000. The link can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-family-of-arlene-connolly-oneill?qid=3d8251c33241f7781c70b03f6b8261c0.
