Sayville grandmother, 62, killed in targeted attack inside Long Island home

Rachel Frislid, 62, was found unconscious by a family member at her Sayville home Thursday evening. Police say the assault was targeted and the public faces no danger.

Sayville businesswoman and grandmother slain days before planned retirement

Rachel Frislid, a 62-year-old grandmother and business owner, was found dead inside her Pearl Court home in Sayville, Long Island, at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. A family member discovered her unconscious shortly after the assault took place, NY Post Metro reports.

Homicide detectives classified Frislid as a "victim of violence" but declined to specify the nature of her injuries. Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina confirmed the timeline to WABC: "A family member found her, and it was a short time after the assault occurred."

Investigators stressed that the attack was not random. "We do not think this was a random attack. We do believe this was a targeted attack," Catalina said, adding that residents of Sayville "really have nothing to fear regarding this attack." No suspects have been publicly named.

Frislid was a longtime fixture in the local business community. After her husband died several years ago, she took over Academy Tent Rentals of Bohemia, a family-run company. Her LinkedIn profile lists an associate's degree in advertising from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She also worked for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Suffolk County and volunteered at Deepwells Farm and local historical societies.

Neighbors and colleagues described her as deeply kind. Eileen Tyznar, president emeritus of the Sayville Chamber of Commerce, told CBS New York: "A heart of gold. Nicest woman you could have ever met. I don't understand it." Tyznar added that Frislid frequently spoke about her son and daughter. "I hope they catch this person," she said.

Frislid had recently been helping leaders of the St. James Chamber of Commerce plan an upcoming street fair. Peter Woram, a workplace tenant neighbor, said he was devastated by the news. "Now to hear that she's dead, I'm just, I don't know what to say, I'm heartbroken," Woram told the outlet. "Hopefully they find this animal."

She had been on the brink of retirement, with plans to relocate to Tennessee to be closer to her daughter and grandchild.

The Suffolk County Homicide Squad is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 631-852-6392.

Source: NY Post Metro