Who tried to kill Isaiah Carvalho? ‘Dateline NBC’ uncovers NYC police officer hired hit man against ex-husband
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Valerie Cincinelli, a former NYPD officer, allegedly conspired with her then-boyfriend, John DiRubba, to hire a hitman to kill her estranged husband, Isaiah Carvalho Jr.
An upcoming episode of 'Dateline NBC' titled 'Hit List' will delve into the disturbing case of former NYPD officer Valerie Cincinelli and her alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire plot.
According to reports, Cincinelli purportedly conspired with her then-boyfriend, John DiRubba, to hire a hitman to assassinate her estranged husband, Isaiah Carvalho Jr., in 2019. Shockingly, it's alleged that she also intended to have DiRubba's teenage daughter killed as part of the plan.
Valerie Cincinelli's involvement in the plot was substantiated by recorded conversations and text messages. Additionally, she was captured on hidden camera footage being informed that the hit had been carried out.
What happened between Isaiah Carvalho and ex-NYPD officer Valerie Cincinelli?
Valerie Cincinelli and Isaiah Carvalho had been married for five years and shared a son. However, their relationship had deteriorated, leading to a tumultuous divorce process in 2019.
"We were fighting all the time," Carvalho recounted, reflecting the strained nature of their relationship during that period.
Valerie Cincinelli, aged 36, was assigned to the "Video Interactive Patrol Enhanced Response" (VIPER) unit, responsible for monitoring security cameras in city housing projects. Notably, the VIPER unit primarily consists of officers on modified duty due to various infractions.
Authorities revealed that Cincinelli had been assigned to this unit due to prior "domestic incidents" involving her ex-husband Isaiah Carvalho. Before being assigned to the VIPER unit, Cincinelli served at the 106th Precinct in Queens.
Why did Valerie Cincinelli's then-boyfriend John DiRubba go to the FBI?
During her divorce and custody battle with Isaiah Carvalho, Valerie Cincinelli reportedly provided her then-boyfriend, John DiRubba with $7,000 in February 2019. Valerie Cincinelli had been having an affair with John DiRubba while she was still married to Isaiah Carvalho.
John DiRubba immediately contacted the FBI for the alleged murder-for-hire plot, instead of following through with Cincinelli's plan. John decided to inform the FBI about the scheme and became their informant passing every bit of information about Valerie Cincinelli.
As a result, the FBI orchestrated a sting operation where Isaiah Carvalho Jr.'s death was faked as part of a covert operation.
Subsequently, Isaiah Carvalho was enlisted by federal agents to simulate his own demise, aiming to convince Cincinelli that the hired hitman had carried out the murder as planned. This ultimately led to Valerie Cincinelli's arrest.
In response, Cincinelli contended that DiRubba was a manipulator who persuaded her to participate in the scheme.
When was Valerie Cincinelli arrested for hiring a hitman?
On a sunny May morning in 2019, two detectives made their way to a residence in Oceanside, New York, a quaint town on Long Island just outside of New York City.
Valerie Cincinelli greeted them at the door, where they delivered devastating news: her 32-year-old husband, Isaiah Carvalho, had been murdered. Understandably, Valerie was visibly distraught. However, as a seasoned law enforcement officer herself, with 12 years of service in the New York City Police Department, she comprehended the importance of cooperating with the police investigation.
Valerie willingly answered the detectives' inquiries before they departed, assuring her they had obtained the necessary information and would be in contact. Allegedly, Cincinelli then proceeded to contact DiRubba to coordinate alibis and instructed him to delete incriminating messages from his phone.
In May 2019, authorities arrested Cincinelli and charged her with using interstate commerce for murder-for-hire. This led to her suspension from the NYPD without pay. Eventually, in March 2021, she resigned from the police department.
What charges were pressed against Valerie Cincinelli?
Valerie Cincinelli faced indictment on charges of attempting to hire someone to murder both her 32-year-old estranged husband and her current boyfriend's 15-year-old daughter.
Valerie Cincinelli's then-boyfriend John DiRubba told NBC how she was strangely fixated on his daughter and was almost "jealous" of her. She would constantly tell him how she wanted his daughter to be "gone" which scared John ultimately leading him to contact the FBI.
Additionally, she was charged with obstructing justice for allegedly destroying potential evidence that may have been contained on phones. Despite the charges, Valerie Cincinelli denied any wrongdoing even though she faced up to 40 years in prison if found guilty.
Valerie Cincinelli was sentenced to 48-month sentence for alleged unsuccessful murder-for-hire for Isaiah Carvalho
In April 2021, Valerie Cincinelli pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice related to the alleged murder-for-hire plot. According to CBS News, she was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison in October of the same year.
Addressing the judge, Cincinelli expressed disbelief in her actions, stating, "I can't believe I allowed myself to get to that dark place. I never thought in a million years it was going to happen. I was deeply, deeply damaged at that time. I was not thinking clearly."
Valerie Cincinelli stated her intention to utilize her time in prison to address issues related to toxic relationships and anger management.
Federal prison records indicate that Cincinelli was released on October 12, 2022.
The upcoming episode will air on NBC this Friday, March 29, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET.
