Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Brian Cordovano, a 50-year-old resident of Ronkonkoma, has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter in the first degree and other related charges. The charges stem from the deaths of Ian Saalfield, 45, of Lake Grove, and Robert Julian, 59, of Selden in April 2022.
"Today, Brian Cordovano pleaded guilty to killing Ian Saalfield and Robert Julian in a selfish and inexplicable act of violence," said District Attorney Tierney. "I hope that this plea provides a measure of comfort to the victims’ families and friends as they continue to mourn these unnecessary and tragic losses. With this conviction, the victim’s families will be spared the further pain and anxiety of a trial while ensuring that the community is protected from any further crimes by this defendant."
On April 26, 2022, Saalfield was reported missing by his wife after last being seen with Cordovano. She reported seeing her husband leave their home with Cordovano at around 8:00 p.m., driving off in Saalfield’s white 2015 Lexus. Saalfield did not return home.
On May 2, 2022, law enforcement discovered Saalfield's Lexus abandoned in a Holtsville parking lot. That same day, police responded to an overdose call at a Ronkonkoma motel involving Cordovano. While he was being transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, police linked a silver 2004 Toyota Corolla left at the motel to him; it belonged to Robert Julian. Police then went to Julian’s home where they found both men dead from gunshot wounds to the head. Investigators determined that Cordovano killed them on April 25, 2022.
Cordovano pleaded guilty before County Court Judge Stephen L. Braslow on October 9, 2024. He admitted to:
- Two counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree
- Three counts of Robbery in the First Degree
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree
Cordovano is scheduled for sentencing on November 20, 2024, facing an agreed-upon sentence of 30 years in prison. His legal representation is Christopher Gioe.
Assistant District Attorney Frank Schroeder from the Homicide Bureau is prosecuting this case with Detective Michael Repperger leading the investigation for Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.