Susan Helfant

March 26, 1977

Thursday night was a happy time in the duplex apartment at 3 Clinton St. Chelsea. There were games, singing, a birthday cake, other goodies. Perhaps best of all for the birthday girl--Natasha Helfant, just turned 3--it was the occasion of a family reunion. Her father, David Helfant, owner of a Fifth Street Chelsea lounge, joined her mother, Susan, 30, her sister, Regina, 9, and her brother, David, 7, for the festivities. Mr. Helfant had separated six months ago. The party over, Helfant was to say later, he left the house, then she Helfant presumably tucked the youngsters off to bed. Yesterday morning Regina was the first of the children to go downstairs for breakfast. A horrible sight awaited her. Her mother's body was sprawled, face up, in the hallway with her feet extended into the kitchen. She had been viciously mutilated. Susan Helfant was age 30.