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Woman Said She Pulled Plug on Fiancé's Kayak: Investigator

Angelika Graswald is accused of removing a drain plug from Vincent Viafore's kayak in April 2015

A woman accused of fatally sabotaging her fiancé's kayak on the Hudson River told authorities she removed a plug on his kayak and manipulated his paddle, according to a New York State Police investigator.

Angelika Graswald is accused of removing a drain plug from Vincent Viafore's kayak in April 2015 and pushing a floating paddle away from him after his kayak capsized 50 miles north of New York City. Graswald has been charged with murder.

Viafore's body was found a month later about a mile downriver. Viafore, 46, had not been wearing a life jacket, authorities said.

A Cornwall police officer testified Monday during Graswald's trial that Graswald appeared calm and emotionless when she was rescued.

Graswald told another investigator she had pulled a plug on Viafore's kayak and manipulated the ring on his paddle, state police senior investigator Aniello Moscato testified.

Neither prosecutors nor the defense can comment due to a gag order. Prosecutors said after her arrest that Graswald had been hoping to collect $250,000 in life insurance.

The defense maintains Viafore's death was accidental, and Graswald has denied murder and manslaughter charges.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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