Nassau police: Slain teaching assistant was stabbed more than 100 times

A Merrick man was fatally stabbed more than 100 times by his boyfriend, who was charged with murder and held without bail, police said Saturday. 

Ryan D. Lindquist, 21, of Massapequa, was arrested Friday and charged with the June 1 killing of Evan Grabelsky, 32, a Great Neck North High School teaching assistant, whom he had met on a dating app two years ago and had been in a relationship with for about a year, police said.

Grabelsky’s parents came home from a family party to their Elliott Street home and found their son stabbed to death on the landing of the stairs after an attack using a knife that police believe terrorized him through the house, Nassau County Homicide Det.Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said. 

“They met at the house, something happened and he stabbed him over 100 times,” Fitzpatrick said. 

Lindquist stood in court with his left hand bandaged and in handcuffs as he pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.

His attorney, Mark Alter, said Lindquist had no criminal record.

Nassau District Court Judge David McAndrews ordered Lindquist remanded without bail. He is set to return to court Tuesday. 

A large group of Grabelsky’s family sat in court and wiped away tears. When Lindquist was remanded, one woman said, “Thank God.”

Family members declined to speak with reporters after the arraignment as they left with homicide detectives.

Lindquist’s family and his attorney quickly left court also without commenting.

Lindquist worked at a costume store. Grabelsky worked during the summer as a counselor at Camp Iconic in North Bellmore. 

The attack started in the bedroom, and Grabelsky apparently ran through a den and upstairs as the attack continued, Fitzpatrick said. 

“It appears he was trying to get away,” Fitzpatrick said. 

Lindquist was identified as a person of interest shortly after the attack through video surveillance near the home and evidence at the scene. When arrested, he had several cuts on both his hands that police believe occurred during the attack when his hands slipped on the knife. 

Police said they were analyzing several knives in the home, to see if any were used in the attack. 

Grabelsky, a 2009 University of Massachusetts Amherst graduate, also inspired an online community of thousands as he documented his quest to lose weight. He also held master’s degrees in education from Queens College and Touro College.

In March 2012, Grabelsky was the subject of a Newsday profile describing how he had dropped 105 pounds over two years by eating healthier and exercising, which he posted on Instagram, where he had more than 5,400 followers.

With Zachary R. Dowdy

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.