After 34 years, David’s sister, Hope, has found her voice. Hope is calling for you to tell the authorities that you want justice for David.
The more different people the authorities hear from, the more they will feel pressure to bring David’s case to justice.
Below you’ll find the letters Hope has sent asking for help, the contact information of the people in positions of authority to solve this case, and suggestions for what you might ask them.
An Open Letter to the People of Ithaca, New York; Law Enforcement, the Justice System, and the American Red Cross:
My brother, David Malcom, was murdered at the American Red Cross emergency shelter he managed in Ithaca, New York 34 years ago this week, February 11, 1987. His sudden loss, and the sheer violence of it, was catastrophic for me. It was decades before I realized that I, too, was a victim of this crime. As are the many people who loved my brother, who benefited from the humanitarian way he reached out to support and help people, and who would have benefitted from the fruits of his living had he lived a full life.
For decades, as far as I could tell, somebody killed my brother and … nothing happened. Only when Deputy Chief Vincent Monticello contacted me in late 2015 was I ever informed of any attempt by law enforcement to bring this case to justice, nor was I ever contacted by any of the four District Attorneys for Tompkins County nor the twelve Police Chiefs in all that time. Neither was I ever contacted by the leadership of the American Red Cross. I am not aware of any Tompkins County DA or Ithaca Police Chief ever taking my brother’s murder seriously, let alone investing themselves in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
My life was derailed by this murderer’s actions. My brother was slain, and my children will never know their uncle. I am mad as hell, and I’m tired of patiently waiting for law enforcement to get their act together and resolve this case. I want the full weight of the American Justice System brought to bear on resolving this case and bringing justice to my brother, to me, and to this community. It is not right that the perpetrator of this crime walked away with it, bearing no consequences whatsoever for their crime.
Who is responsible for identifying the perpetrator of this heinous crime against society, against Ithaca, against my brother, against me? Who is responsible for ensuring that the individual responsible for my brother’s death is held accountable, is prevented from perpetuating further violence against humanity and this community? What authority is accountable for pursuing justice?
I need your help. If you support me in my quest for justice, if you knew my brother and still suffer his loss, if you believe that bloody murder should not stand without justice, I implore you to contact any of the following people and demand that they seek justice in this case:
Matthew Van Houten: District Attorney for Tompkins County: 320 N. Tioga St., Ithaca, NY 14850; (607) 274-5461; fax: (607) 274-5429; @MattVanHouten12
Dennis Nayor: Chief, Ithaca Police Department; 120 East Clinton Street, P.O. Box 6557, Ithaca, NY 14851, USA; Headquarters (non-emergency) 607-272-9973; @ithacapolice
Gail McGovern: President and CEO American Red Cross; 431 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006; 202-303-5214
Svante Myrick: Mayor, City of Ithaca New York; City Hall, 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850; Ph: 607-274-6501; @SvanteMyrick
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo: Governor of New York State NYS State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224; 518-474-8390; @NYGovCuomo
Letitia James: Attorney General of New York; The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 800-771-7755; @NewYorkStateAG
Colleen McCabe: Executive Director Tompkins County Chapter of the American Red Cross; 2 Ascot Place, Ithaca, NY 14850; (607) 785-7207
With gratitude for your support,
Hope Malcom Maltz
February 8, 2021
Colleen McCabe Executive Director,
Tompkins County Chapter of the American Red Cross
The Shops at Ithaca Mall, Space AO1
40 Catherwood Road Ithaca, NY
14850
(607) 273-1900
&
Gail McGovern
President and CEO American Red Cross
431 18th Street NW
Washington, DC
20006
202-303-5214
Dear Ms. McCabe/Ms. McGovern
My brother, David Malcom, was murdered on the job while managing the Tompkins County Red Cross emergency shelter on February 11, 1987 at the age of 26. At the end of a 24-hour shift, he was found by a co-worker coming in to relieve him, having died of multiple stab wounds in the office of the locked shelter. The crime remains unsolved, justice unserved.
Ms. McGovern, where has the Red Cross been in the 34 years since this crime? What have you done, as Executive Director of the Tompkins County Red Cross to promote the pursuit of justice on behalf of my brother?
This crime was catastrophic not only for David, but for me, the many people who knew and loved him and continue to suffer his absence, and those who would have benefitted from his full life.
For decades, as far as I could tell, somebody killed my brother and … nothing happened. I have never been contacted by any of the four District Attorneys for Tompkins County nor the twelvePolice Chiefs in the decades since his murder. I am not aware of any Tompkins County DA or Ithaca Police Chief ever taking my brother’s murder seriously, let alone investing themselves in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
At this point, I’m tired of patiently waiting for law enforcement to get their act together and resolve this case. I’m mad as hell that my brother was murdered in the first place, let alone that the case remains unresolved 34 years later. I believe the effort to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice would succeed if the case were being championed by the highest authorities.
Your organization is culpable in this neglect of justice, as well. This happened under the auspices of your watch, on your property, and in your service. How could this organization have failed to pursue justice on behalf of a staff member?
It is high time for the Tompkins County Chapter of the American Red Cross to step in by publicly pressing for a resolution of this case. I am writing to ask you to publicly and privately press the office of the Tompkins County District Attorney and the Chief of the Ithaca Police Department to act vigorously to see justice served and the murderer(s) of David Malcom brought to justice. Please help me achieve closure, for the benefit of all who continue to suffer from this crime, and so I can rest.
Thank you for your support,
Hope Malcom Maltz
February 8, 2021
Dennis Nayor Chief,
Ithaca Police Department
P.O. Box 6557 Ithaca, NY
14851
Dear Captain Nayor,
I know you are familiar with the case of my brother’s murder on February 11, 1987. You are not, however, familiar with me, nor with the impact of this crime on me and my life. My brother was the last remaining member of my nuclear family. Our parents died during our teens; David and I had only one another left, investing in each other a sense of home that gave both of us a sense of grounding and comfort.
The news of his death, before even being told of the means, tore the ground out from under my feet. It was even worse when I found out how he died. I was most fortunate in having a circle of people who sustained me in the hours, days, weeks, months and ultimately decades to follow. A person does not recover from the likes of this. There is extreme disorientation, and powerful wounding throughout the being, from the body through the soul. Eventually, if you’re lucky as I was, you find a way to begin to move forward. But you’re fettered, lugging a heavy load that drags behind with every step. It weighs me still.
Sir, I need your help to find closure in this case. Being stuck in limbo this way is untenable. I’ve tried, but I can’t settle until the person or persons responsible and the circumstances of the crime are brought out into the light. If the case is unsolvable, that is valuable and helpful information, too. What will it take for IPD to aggressively pursue bringing this case to closure? I know the case is currently being investigated by Deputy Chief Monticello; I believe the effort would succeed if it were being championed by yourself.
I know you are retiring at the end of March. There is still time, however, for you to make a difference in the resolution of this case, and my life. Please act now.
Sincerely,
Hope Malcom Maltz
The Honorable Matthew Van Houten
District Attorney for Tompkins County
320 N. Tioga Street
Ithaca, New York
14850
Mr. Van Houten,
I believe you are familiar with the case of my brother’s murder on February 11, 1987. I know, however, that you are not familiar with me, nor with the impact of this crime on me and my life. In lieu of going into this with great detail, I deem it sufficient at this time to be brief, reserving the right to go into detail at length at another time.
My brother was the last remaining member of my nuclear family. Our parents died during our teens; David and I had only one another left, investing in each other a sense of home that gave both of us a sense of grounding and comfort.
The news of his death, before even being told of the means, tore the ground out from under my feet. Fragile already from the losses of my parents, losing David, my brother, shattered my soul. Coming up for air for a moment between wails, I gasped “How?” picturing a moving vehicle and a cross-walk; Toby Chamberlain, bearing the news and crying with me, could only manage “Somebody…” before breaking down again, and I understood that someone had killed him. It was beyond comprehension. My shattering compounded.
I was most fortunate in having a circle of people who sustained me in the hours, days, weeks, months and ultimately decades to follow. One does not recover from the likes of this. There is extreme disorientation, and powerful wounding throughout the being, from the body through the soul. Eventually, if one is lucky as I was, one finds a way to begin to move forward. But one is fettered, lugging a heavy load that drags behind with every step. It weighs me still.
Sir, I need your help to find closure in this case. Being stuck in limbo this way is untenable. I can’t settle until the person or persons responsible and the circumstances of the crime are brought out into the light. If the case is unsolvable, that is valuable information, too. Is it possible that this case is caught between your office and the Ithaca Police Department?
Who is responsible for identifying the perpetrator of this heinous crime against society, against Ithaca, against my brother, against me? What authority is accountable for pursuing justice? Ultimately, who is responsible for ensuring that the individual responsible for my brother’s death is held accountable, is prevented from perpetuating further acts against humanity and the community?
Your webpage states that: “The Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecuting criminal offenses defined under State law, committed within Tompkins County.” I think that means that it is your responsibility, as it has been the three previous occupants of your seat over the past 34 years.
Your webpage further states that your Mission includes: “To hold individuals, ourselves and the criminal justice system accountable for our actions and our decisions;To promote a safe, healthy, and just community …” Please tell me, and the people of Tompkins County, how this applies to my brother, and to them. I do not live in Tompkins County, but it falls to me to advocate on behalf of my brother. I await your reply. I await your determined action.
Sincerely,
Hope Malcom Maltz