Linda Stein was a woman who lived a glamorous and influential life in the music and real estate industries.
She was a co-manager of the Ramones, one of the most iconic punk rock bands of all time, and a broker for celebrities such as Madonna, Sting, and Angelina Jolie.
She was also a mother of two daughters and a friend to many.
But on October 30, 2007, her life came to a brutal end when she was found bludgeoned to death in her Fifth Avenue apartment.
The murder shocked the public and the media, who speculated about possible motives and suspects.
Was it a robbery gone wrong? A jealous lover? A disgruntled client? A random act of violence? The police had few clues to go on, except for the security cameras and staff at Stein’s building, which ruled out any outsiders.
They also found no signs of forced entry or struggle in her apartment, suggesting that she knew her killer.
The mystery was solved two weeks later when the police arrested Natavia Lowery, Stein’s former personal assistant.
Lowery confessed to killing her boss with a yoga stick after Stein allegedly yelled at her, blew marijuana smoke in her face, and made a racial slur.
She also admitted to stealing $30,000 from Stein’s bank account.
However, Lowery later recanted her confession and claimed that she was coerced by the police.
Lowery’s trial began in January 2010 and lasted for six weeks.
The prosecution presented evidence of Lowery’s confession, her DNA on the murder weapon, and her bank records showing the theft.
They also portrayed Stein as a kind and generous employer who treated Lowery like family.
The defense argued that Lowery was innocent and that Stein was killed by someone else who had access to her apartment.
They also questioned the credibility of Lowery’s confession and suggested that she was mentally unstable.
The jury deliberated for two days and found Lowery guilty of second-degree murder and grand larceny.
She was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, the maximum penalty for her crimes.
Stein’s daughters expressed their relief and satisfaction with the verdict, while Lowery’s family maintained her innocence and vowed to appeal.
The murder of Linda Stein remains one of the most shocking and tragic cases in New York’s history.
It exposed the dark side of a glamorous world where money, fame, and power can turn deadly.
