Franklin Square, NY — Nearly two decades ago, Susan Ambrosino, a 26-year-old mother, vanished under mysterious circumstances after a night out. The chilling case, which left her young daughter awaiting her return, unfolded in the New York suburb of Franklin Square. Ambrosino was reported missing around 3 a.m. on Feb. 22, 2005, sparking a tense search that eventually unveiled a web of familial betrayal and murder.
According to family members, the evening before her disappearance, Ambrosino was supposed to meet Steven Schiovone and her ex-husband, Keith Ambrosino. Steven, who is Keith’s half-brother, told authorities he saw Susan at a local pizzeria, but they parted ways separately. Keith, on the other hand, claimed he never saw Susan that night as she failed to contact him despite plans to meet.
Ambrosino’s loved ones expressed immediate concern. “Susan would never just not come home, not to her daughter,” said her brother, Anthony Napolitano, underscoring the gravity of her absence. The situation escalated when, more than a day later, her purse was found in a vacant lot in Queens, miles from her home. Nearby, her car was discovered with traces of blood in the passenger seat and her body in the trunk, marked by a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Her murder case took a dramatic turn when Napolitano revealed to investigators that Susan was pregnant — and the father was none other than Steven Schiovone. This revelation painted a complex picture of intertwined relationships and concealed secrets within the family. “It brought everything like a house of cards tumbling down,” said Napolitano.
The investigation into Ambrosino’s murder intensified as suspicion centered on Steven. When confronted, he provided an alibi that quickly unraveled. He claimed he was home watching television with his girlfriend’s brother, Tim, at the time Susan was likely murdered. However, police found continuous communication between their phones during the alleged period, casting doubt on their statements.
Under police scrutiny, Tim eventually confessed that his initial story was fabricated. He told police he had picked Steven up near where Susan’s body was discovered following a desperate call for help. Steven allegedly admitted to Tim that he had made a grave mistake that evening.
Further complicating matters, it was discovered that Steven’s girlfriend was also pregnant, heightening the stakes of his predicament. With the evidence mounting against him, including a gun turned in by Tim that matched the ballistics of the murder weapon, the case grew stronger.
Steven Schiovone was charged with Susan Ambrosino’s murder. In April 2007, as his trial commenced, he entered a guilty plea to manslaughter and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. The guilty plea marked a somber conclusion to a case that had gripped the community, exposing deep-seated rifts and secrets that ultimately led to tragedy.
This case highlights not only the personal dimensions of crime but also the broader implications such as the impact on families and communities. Susan Ambrosino’s murder remains a poignant reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the dark turns they can sometimes take. As the community of Franklin Square continues to heal, the story of Susan Ambrosino serves as a grim lesson in the destructive power of secrets and the importance of justice in the quest for closure.