A 29-year-old pregnant SUNY New Paltz alumna was killed Friday by Keston “Cory” Brown, 27 of 946 Leggett Avenue in the Bronx. Brown has prior arrests.
Brown is a Gristedes/Red Apple Group employee. He plowed his 2-ton Gristedes van into two women on East 37th Street just as the pregnant Ysemny “Semy” Ramos, who was planning to celebrate her third wedding anniversary that night, and co-worker Tassia Katsiambanis were leaving work. The van held Brown and his male passenger, Yusuf Rodriguez, age 30. According to witnesses, Brown pulled up alongside the women and began slowly following them. The men harassed and yelled at the women, according to witnesses. When the women ignored the men, the van slammed into the women, pinning Katsiambanis. Brown accelerated with such force that the van toppled a parking meter, a signpost and a bollard meant to protect the parking meter.
Katsiambanis begged passersby rushing to her aid to help Ramos instead. “My friend is pregnant. Please help her!” witnesses heard Katsiambanis scream. It was too late; Brown’s actions had cut the pregnant woman in half.
“She was full of love,” Renaldo Ramos said of his wife. “She refused to see the glass half-empty. She always filled up my cup when I saw it empty.” According to Renaldo, there is no punishment great enough for his wife’s killer. Semy described herself on her myspace page as a “devoted wife”. Semy, a graphic designer, had just begun working at Israel Berger & Associates two months ago after being a stay-at-home mom. Her family said she was “ecstatic” about being pregnant with a little girl.
The driver, Keston “Cory” Brown, fled the scene, but was quickly caught by police. Police investigators found no mechanical problems with the vehicle. Also, police searched, but found no skid marks at the scene. (The presence of skid marks would indicate that the driver tried to brake, but none were found.)
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Keston Brown. Witnesses say Brown was ogling Mrs. Ramos and became angry after she rebuffed him.
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A bit about Keston Brown’s employer:
John Catsimatidis owns the Gristedes grocery chain. He is also in oil refining and owns gas stations. He is planning to build oceanfront condos in Coney Island and is involved in corporate takeovers. His motto is “We’re all salesmen.” He is against regulation for businesses and plans to make a mayoral run.
Gristedes has declined comment. customerservice@gristedes.com
Update:
Tassia has been released from the hospital. She says, “I don’t know how to put the pieces back together”. Of the friend she has lost, she says “I’m blessed to have known her. I’m lost over the fact she’s gone.”
Semy’s family has now talked to the press. They have made it very clear that they want justice for Semy, but the Manhattan D.A. refuses to try her killer for murder. The D.A. may be contacted at 212-335-9000. The address is:
Manhattan D.A.’s Main Office
One Hogan Place
New York, NY 10013
- Semy Ramos 1980-2009
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