The quiet community of Wilmington, Delaware, was shaken by the sudden disappearance and subsequent murder of a well-loved preschool teacher. Cynthia Amalfitano, 63, was reported missing after she failed to show up at Concord Preschool, where she had been a dedicated educator for 24 years. A week after her disappearance, her body was found in a local park, and her boyfriend, Stephen Heck, 66, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Amalfitano’s absence from her Birch Circle home was first noticed on September 25. Her colleagues at the preschool, alarmed by her uncharacteristic no-show, reported her missing. When local law enforcement investigated her home, they found her personal belongings intact, but Amalfitano was nowhere to be found.
The investigation led to a grim discovery near a parking lot in Carousel Park, not far from Amalfitano’s home. Her body was found discarded, and the coroner’s report confirmed her death as a homicide. This led the police to identify Heck as a person of interest in the case.
Heck was arrested on October 3, 2023, without incident by detectives from the Special Investigations Squad. He is currently being held at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution. The police have not yet disclosed further details regarding the circumstances of Amalfitano’s death.
New Castle County Police Chief Col. Joseph Bloch expressed his condolences to Amalfitano’s family and praised his criminal investigations unit for their diligent work in apprehending the suspect. The impact of Amalfitano’s death was felt deeply within the community, particularly at Concord Presbyterian Church, where the preschool had to close abruptly.
The Rev. Steven Clark, pastor of the church, described Amalfitano as a vibrant individual who “lit up a room wherever she was.” Friends and family remembered her as a lively, caring woman who loved spending time with her family, friends, and pets. Her obituary noted her fondness for animals and her frequent visits to Rehoboth Beach.
The investigation into Amalfitano’s murder continues, and the police are urging anyone with relevant information to contact Detective Gino Cevallos.