The tragic murder of Catherine “Kitty” Genovese, which occurred in March 1964 in Queens, New York City, has long been associated with the concept of the bystander effect. Initially reported as witnessed by 38 people who did not intervene, the truth later revealed fewer witnesses, some of whom did try to help Kitty during the assault. Despite their efforts, Kitty tragically passed away on her way to the hospital. This event led to the eventual implementation of the 911 emergency system nationwide. Kitty’s brother, Bill Genovese, shared that their family initially avoided details of the incident, choosing not to attend the trial of the perpetrator, Winston Moseley. It wasn’t until many years later, after their mother’s passing, that Bill began to research and understand more about Kitty’s life and death. Learning that Kitty was not alone during her final moments brought some solace to the family. Kitty, a vibrant and lively individual, lived with her partner in Queens and worked at a nearby bar. Despite the tragic circumstances of her passing, her memory lives on through the efforts of her family to keep her story alive.
A man followed a woman from her workplace in Hollis, Queens, to her home in Kew Gardens. When she got out of her red Fiat, he trailed her on foot. Upon noticing him, she started running, as reported by The New York Times. The man caught up with her and stabbed her twice in the back with a hunting knife on a sidewalk.
During the initial attack, witness Robert Mozer heard Kitty crying for help. Mozer shouted from his apartment window, causing the man to flee. He described seeing the man run away quickly and Kitty disappearing around a corner. Mozer then went back to bed, assuming the danger had passed.
However, the man returned. He later recalled changing his hat and moving his car out of sight before coming back. He found Kitty in a hallway behind her apartment building, in pain and asking for help. He proceeded to stab her 12 more times and commit a sexual assault before leaving.
In the documentary “The Witness” from 2016, it was revealed that at least two people called the police for assistance. Kitty’s friend Sophia Farrar found her in a critical condition, lying in a pool of blood. She comforted Kitty until an ambulance arrived, but unfortunately, Kitty passed away on the way to the hospital.
Kitty Genovese was stabbed a total of 14 times: twice in the first attack and then 12 more times in the second attack. Contrary to the initial claim of 38 witnesses, it was reported by The New York Times in 2004 that only about six people saw anything significant enough to testify about in court. The second attack, being indoors and away from the street, limited the visibility for potential witnesses.
In more recent reports, it was noted that no witnesses observed the full crime, with some mistaking the sounds for a different altercation. The number of people who heard the commotion but couldn’t identify its source has varied over time. Additionally, historical accounts indicate that some individuals hesitated to intervene or reported the incident belatedly.
Ultimately, accounts surrounding the tragic murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964 have sparked ongoing discussions about bystander intervention and public response to emergencies.
After hearing a woman scream for help, a witness named Grund contacted the police and was informed that they had already been alerted about the incident. Grund explained to Kitty’s brother, Bill, that there were multiple calls made to the police but they were promptly informed that the matter had been addressed. Grund emphasized that residents of Kew Gardens were not apathetic, as some had claimed, and there were always people who tried to help by calling in such situations.
There was one witness, Joseph Fink, who allegedly saw Kitty being attacked but did not intervene. Fink reportedly witnessed the first attack from his window and failed to assist. During a subsequent attack, Fink went to sleep in his basement without intervening.
Kitty’s murder led to studies on the bystander effect, where responsibility is diffused among a group of people, leading to a decreased likelihood of someone taking action to help.
The murderer of Kitty Genovese was Winston Moseley, a serial killer and rapist who was caught five days after the crime while burglarizing another property. Moseley confessed to Kitty’s murder, as well as the murders of 15-year-old Barbara Kralik and 24-year-old Annie Mae Johnson.
Despite pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, Moseley was found guilty of first-degree murder and initially sentenced to death, later amended to life in prison. He escaped from a hospital in 1968 and was recaptured after a violent incident. Moseley passed away at the age of 81 in 2016 after serving nearly 52 years in prison.
Kitty’s brother, Bill Genovese, joined the military at age 19, motivated in part by his belief that no one had helped his sister. He lost both legs in combat.
The rest of the Genovese family did not attend Moseley’s trial, and their mother suffered a stroke a year after the murder. “In our family, we mostly avoided the spotlight and inquiries because my mom was deeply affected by this,” Bill shared with PEOPLE in January 2017. “We always tried to shield her from incoming information.” After their mother’s passing in 1992, Bill delved deeper into investigating his sister’s murder and life. He documented his journey in the film The Witness, interviewing surviving witnesses of Kitty’s murder and finding comfort in the knowledge that she was not alone in her final moments, with Farrar by her side awaiting assistance.
Regarding Kitty Genovese’s girlfriend, Zielonko reflected on the strong connection she shared with Kitty, forming a close bond quickly, as she recounted to The Chicago Tribune in March 2003. On the night of the tragedy, Zielonko was asleep in their apartment after a night of bowling with friends. Following Kitty’s death, Zielonko had the difficult task of identifying her body at the morgue. She later admitted that she had blocked out much of the night of the murder from her memory, feeling numb from the experience. Zielonko expressed regret and guilt for not being able to save Kitty, vowing to never ignore someone in need again.
In a poignant interview with the Rutland Herald in March 2004, Zielonko shared her feelings of helplessness after Kitty’s death, questioning if there was more she could have done to prevent the tragedy. She made a promise to intervene if she ever encountered someone in a dangerous situation. Recalling an incident where she assisted a woman in a domestic violence situation, Zielonko emphasized the importance of taking action and not turning a blind eye. She passed away at the age of 85 on April 3, 2020, in Rutland, VT, as reported by The New York Times.
