The Escort Who Ware a Murder Inside Out: How Miss Pumpkin Tied Jonathan Crupi to a Murder
The community was stunned when beloved Staten Island teacher Simeonette Mapes-Crupi was found stabbed to death in her apartment in July 2012, leading to a complicated case to solve. To help cover up the crime, her husband, Jonathan Crupi, orchestrated a fake robbery, but it was his double life and one key witness that made the difference in his conviction.
This article tells the story of how the testimony and DNA of a sex worker known as “Miss Pumpkin” cracked the case wide open. We detail the events, the evidence, and the timeline that led to a killer’s conviction, and simple language and key words that define a fascinating read.
A Violent Crime Made To Appear Like A Robbery
Jonathan Crupi had dialed 911 on July 5, 2012, saying his wife had been slain during a robbery. The police showed up and found the house ransacked, but nothing really valuable was gone. Jewelry, money, and cards had been left in full view. Detectives soon saw past the setup. It looked staged. The only sign of forced entry was an open sliding glass door.
Suspicion Soon Falls On The Husband
Like most domestic killings, the husband was the initial suspect. Crupi said he had woken up and left early that morning to run errands. He said he went to have his car inspected, then to his school to pick up items, then to Home Depot. But the bulk of his tale did not add up. Surveillance and receipts revealed his story was full of breaks and lies.
And As We Reach Inside The Marriage, We Find A Fault Line
The investigation found evidence that the marriage was crumbling. Derby Simeonette had recently learned that her husband never went to the master’s program she had paid for. She also thought he might be cheating. July 2, just days prior to her murder, she was looking up a questionable phone number listed in her phone as “Woman.” It was a sex worker, Miss Pumpkin.
She Was Clean Bare With Bare Knees By Miss Pumpkin And Becomes The Star Witness
Miss Pumpkin had detectives approach her as potential clients. She agreed to chat and picked Crupi out of a photo. She knew him as “Mike” and a consistent customer of two years. Even more shockingly, Digiovanni said they hooked up on July 5 — the day of the murder — around 12:45 in the afternoon, although Crupi had told cops he was at Home Depot at the time. His alibi collapsed.
DNA, Disposable Phone Connect Crupi To Crime
The DNA on the side of the sliding glass door came back with two profiles: that of Crupi and a woman whose identity remains a mystery. Miss Pumpkin submitted a DNA sample, which was a match.
She wasn’t there at the time of the crime, but her DNA found on the door established Crupi’s connection to her after the murder. The police later found a burner phone in a coat pocket at the crime scene. Crupi’s calls proved he was connected to Miss Pumpkin.
Internet Searches Reveal A Grim Story
Crupi’s laptop was analyzed and horrifying searches were discovered. Months before the murder, he had searched for information online on how to clean up a crime scene, how to suffocate someone, and how to slit a throat. And these digital traces demonstrated forethought and buttressed the evidence against him.
A Motive As Old As Lies And Betrayal
Prosecutors thought that Simeonette had challenged her husband on his infidelity and school lies. In a rage, he pushed her down the stairs and stabbed her 15 times. He then cleaned the scene, staged it, met Miss Pumpkin and returned to phone 911. This clearly indicated a cover-up attempt.
The Trial And Conviction Of Jonathan Crupi
Crupi was charged with Giuca, in November 2012. The case went to trial in June 2015. Prosecutors cobbled the case together with DNA, digital clues and Miss Pumpkin’s testimony over five weeks. In July 2015, a jury convicted Crupi of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
FAQs
Who Is Simeonette Mapes-Crupi?
She was a 29-year-old teacher, beloved by students and family, a woman who had earned a reputation as someone who was kind and who had a real passion for teaching.
So how did police come to find Miss Pumpkin?
Detectives were able to track down the phone number that had been stored in Simeonette’s contacts. It took them to Miss Pumpkin, who became an important witness.
Was Miss Pumpkin the murderer?
No. She was cleared as a suspect. Her DNA was left by direct contact when Crupi touched the door after seeing her.
What was the evidence against Crupi that led to his arrest?
His alibi was false, the DNA, the computer searches, the call logs from the burner phone were evidence of his guilt.
What was the final sentence?
The victim’s husband, Jonathan Crupi, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for second-degree murder.
Final Words
This tragic case is a demonstration of how lies and hidden lives can lead to violence. But it also illuminates the power of the truth. It was all thanks to the courage of Miss Pumpkin – and the tireless work of detectives – justice was served. The truth, no matter how dark, is the most important thing and Simeonette Mapes-Crupi’s story proves it.
Table of Contents