MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced the sentencing of Andrew Avila, 26, of Elmont, to 25 years in prison for the manslaughter of Rebecca Carlson. The sentencing occurred today, following Avila’s guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter on April 2.
On Valentine’s Day in 2023, Avila met with 39-year-old Rebecca Carlson in his vehicle in Mineola. According to the district attorney, the meeting escalated into an argument, and Avila strangled Carlson to death. He later disposed of her body behind an Advanced Auto Parts store in South Hempstead.
The body of Carlson was discovered next to a dumpster by an employee of the store later that morning. Avila was apprehended by the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad on March 2, 2023, in Hewlett.
District Attorney Donnelly remarked on the brutality of the crime, stating, “Andrew Avila brutally strangled Rebecca Carlson to death… Avila will now spend more than two decades of his young life behind bars for his callous violence.” Donnelly extended her thoughts to Carlson’s family as justice is served.
