A beloved Long Island grandmother and business owner who was reportedly preparing to retire was found murdered inside her home in what police believe was a targeted attack.
Rachel Frislid, 62, was discovered unconscious by a family member inside her Sayville home at around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the Suffolk County Police Department and local reports.
Authorities said Frislid was a “victim of violence,” but have not released details about the injuries she suffered.
“A family member found her, and it was a short time after the assault occurred,” Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said, according to WABC.
Frislid was remembered by those who knew her as a devoted mother, grandmother and longtime local businesswoman with a “heart of gold.”
“A heart of gold. Nicest woman you could have ever met. I don’t understand it,” Eileen Tyznar, president emeritus of the Sayville Chamber of Commerce, told CBS New York.
Tyznar said Frislid often spoke proudly about her family.
“She has a beautiful, beautiful family that she always talks about. Her son and her daughter,” she said. “And I hope they catch this person.”
Frislid had taken over her family’s business, Academy Tent Rentals of Bohemia, after her husband died several years ago.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she was also a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned an associate’s degree in advertising.
Frislid remained heavily involved in the community. She had recently been working with leaders of the St. James Chamber of Commerce to help plan an upcoming street fair.
She also worked for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Suffolk County and volunteered with Deepwells Farm and local historical organizations.
Friends said Frislid had been looking forward to the next chapter of her life and was hoping to retire soon and move to Tennessee to be closer to her daughter and grandchild.
News of her death left those who knew her stunned.
“Now to hear that she’s dead, I’m just, I don’t know what to say, I’m heartbroken,” Peter Woram, a tenant near her workplace, said. “Hopefully they find this animal.”
Police have launched a homicide investigation but stressed that they do not believe Frislid’s killing was random.
“We are not ready to discuss any kind of suspects in this yet, but I will say that the residents of this town, Sayville, really have nothing to fear regarding this attack,” Catalina said.
“We do not think this was a random attack. We do believe this was a targeted attack.”
Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect.
Anyone with information about Frislid’s killing is urged to contact the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392.
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