Mother of two found stabbed dead behind wall

Joan Viau’s son is accused of slashing her neck

A missing mother of two was found stabbed to death behind a wall in upper Manhattan this week — and her own son is facing murder charges.

Joan Viau, 52, from The Bronx, had been reported missing on January 23, and was last seen taking her 31-year-old son Joseph Garcia to a doctor’s appointment at the VA hospital. Her body was discovered early this week, with apparent stab wounds. The New York City Medical Examiner told DNAinfo that the cause of death was “homicidal violence, including sharp force trauma of neck.”

Garcia had initially been booked on charges of possession of stolen property after he drove his mother’s car and used her credit cards after her disappearance. Traces of blood were reportedly found in Viau’s car, and on her purse and her cellphone.

In a Tuesday court appearance related to the stolen property charges, Garcia was told he would be facing additional charges of second-degree murder. According to the New York Daily News, Garcia spoke incoherently when asked what happened to his mother.

“I wouldn’t know,” Garcia reportedly said. “There’s no suggestions. I do not want to disclose certain realities, to not ruin certain unconscious beings, and that’s all.”

 

Photo: NYPD