Assistant charged in Linda Stein murder

(New York - WABC, November 9, 2007) (WABC) -- The personal assistant to a multimillionaire realtor Linda Stein, whose circle of friends included Sting and Madonna, was arrested Friday.

Natavia Lowery, 26 of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was charged with second-degree murder. Police say Lowery confessed to killing Stein when Stein refused to stop blowing marijuana smoke into her face.

Lowery was arraigned Friday night and held without bail.

Stein, a former co-manager of the Ramones, was found face-down in a pool of blood inside her $3 million Fifth Avenue apartment, said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Stein, 62, was smashed a half-dozen times in the head and neck with a weighted yoga stick typically used for stretching exercises. Lowery was captured on a surveillance tape leaving Stein's building shortly after the brief but brutal October 30th assault, Kelly said.

Stein, a punk rock pioneer credited with bringing the Ramones to England, became known as the "Realtor to the Stars" after launching a second career in real estate. Her two jobs landed her a high-profile clientele, including many musicians and other celebrities like Steven Spielberg and Angelina Jolie.

Elton John was the godfather to her daughter Mandy, who discovered Stein's lifeless body on the living room floor.

Lowery told police that she was subjected to profane and derogatory comments from Stein as they worked in the realtor's apartment that morning. Lowery said she finally snapped while retrieving an e-mail from Stein's computer, with the boss blowing marijuana smoke in her face and telling her to hurry, Kelly recounted.

Lowery then snatched the stick from Stein's hands and battered the businesswoman until she collapsed. The murder weapon was not recovered, but the videotape showed the suspect carrying something with her as she exited Stein's Upper East Side building, Kelly said.

According to Kelly, Lowery was among the more than 60 people interviewed - including family, friends, former love interests and co-workers - as police searched intensively for Stein's killer. On Thursday, she called a detective to complain about reporters staking out her Brooklyn home.

The detective met the suspect at the Kellogg Diner in Williamsburg, then brought her to the Seventh Precinct, where she confessed, Kelly said. Lowery began working for the irascible Stein about four months ago, handling chores, clerical work and computer duties.

"She was brand new," said Danny Fields, who was Stein's managerial partner with the Ramones.

Stein's apartment was combed for DNA and other forensic evidence before Lowery admitted her role to police, authorities said.

The loud, profane and brassy Stein was a well-known New York figure, moving easily between the seedy scene at CBGB's and the cutthroat world of Manhattan real estate. She was once married to Seymour Stein, the former president of Sire Records.

Among those who attended her funeral were Whoopi Goldberg, renowned record executive Clive Davis and band leader Paul Shaffer of "Late Show With David Letterman."

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•