Despite their suspicions today, the family of a Manhattan businesswoman who fell off a boat and drowned off the Hamptons embraced the victim’s husband, the last person to see her alive.
Mourners at a Queens funeral described Ninive Petrocelli, 39, as a generous angel who impacted the lives of everyone she knew.
The victim’s grieving family put aside their doubts about the circumstances surrounding her tragic death to console her widowed husband, John.
“He came over and said hello to everyone,” said Ninive’s oldest brother, Blas Tejeda. The heartbroken brother said John exchanged hugs and greetings with several family members.
Days earlier, Tejeda stopped just short of blaming his brother-in-law for his sister’s death Sunday, saying there were things about his story to police that didn’t add up.
Cops have said the woman’s death appears to have been an accident report, but investigators are waiting for toxicology reports.
“I just want justice for my sister,” he said at the time.
About 200 mourners lined a stretch of thick grass at the Springfield Cemetery in Springfield Gardens, where wreaths of white and red roses flanked the glossy oak casket.
Before the service began, family members lined up behind the silver hearse for a last look at Ninive’s body before the casket was closed one last time.
There, NinIve’s father, Cristino Gonzalez, removed his hat, bowed his head and wept.
Tejeda said their mother was sick, and unable to make the trip to New York from Florida.
“It was very emotional,” Tejeda said.. To see my sister in the casket, I never expected it. I’d rather be there than her.”
“She did so much to help people during her life,” a friend said after the service. “That will remain with us forever. In a way, she made her life eternal in our lives, so she will always be here.”