In a startling revelation, the city medical examiner has declared the deaths of two five-year-old twins from the Bronx as homicides. The twins, George and Gianna Katanka, were discovered in their apartment in December 2023, exhibiting symptoms of vomiting and foaming at the mouth. Initially, their deaths were attributed to a medical emergency, but the autopsy results have now confirmed that they were smothered.
The twins were found by emergency responders on the living room floor of their East 175th Street apartment near Weeks Avenue in Mount Hope on December 18. The following day, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny addressed the media, indicating that the incident appeared to be a tragic accident.
Kenny described the twins’ mother as a dedicated parent who was actively involved in their medical care and education. He also mentioned that the family was known to be quiet and loving by their neighbors. At that time, the incident was considered a medical tragedy until further investigation by the medical examiner.
According to Kenny, the twins, who had special needs, had been unwell and had not attended school on the day they were found dead. The boy had been exhibiting cold symptoms for about two weeks and had been sent home from school the previous week. His sister was suffering from an ear infection and had been vomiting and displaying unusual behavior, such as biting and spitting at school, as reported by their mother to the police.
The twins’ mother was reportedly so distraught over the loss of her children that she required hospitalization for observation. The children’s father, who was at work when the incident occurred, rushed home upon hearing the news. He expressed his grief to the media, stating that he was not doing well after losing his two children.
Neighbors were shocked by the news, as they knew the mother as a caring parent who was always with her children. Lansana Damsoko, a resident of the same apartment building, said that the mother never let the children walk alone and always held their hands. As of Thursday, no arrests had been made in connection with the twins’ deaths, according to the NYPD.