73-Year-Old Husband Kills Wife of 40 Years, Then Himself

A former American Airlines flight attendant, Eileen Clifford, 68, was tragically killed in an apparent murder-suicide orchestrated by her husband, William Clifford, 73, in Islip, New York, on Feb. 20, 2025. The shocking event has left her community mourning a woman known for her generosity and kindness.

The 911 Call

The Suffolk County Police Department responded to a report of a gunshot victim early that morning. William Clifford was discovered on the driveway with a gunshot wound to his head, and a gun lay at his feet. He worked as a tugboat operator in Manhattan. When officers entered the home, they found Eileen Clifford dead in a pool of blood, a tragic end to their marriage of many years.

Who Was Eileen?

Eileen Clifford was a former flight attendant, celebrated volunteer, and philanthropist. After retiring from American Airlines, she founded the Long Island chapter of the Kiwi Club, a social charity organization for current and former flight attendants. Eileen's efforts did not go unnoticed — she received a service award from former President George W. Bush. Her volunteer work also earned her an induction into the Flight Attendant Hall of Fame.

Eileen had previously described her life on the Kiwi website as "fulfilled, busy, and alive," according to PEOPLE, noting that her charity work and life with her "wonderful husband Bill" brought her joy. A friend told the Daily Voice that Eileen was "the kindest person you could ever meet," and her loss is a significant blow to those who knew her.

Why Was She Killed?

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killing. Neighbors reported that the couple seemed like a normal, happy pair and that police had never been called to the residence prior to the incident. As reported by the New York Post, Eileen's life with her husband was reported to be a source of joy, adding to the mystery surrounding the tragic event.

Remembering a Life of Service

Eileen Clifford's legacy will live on through her charity work and the lives she touched. Her leadership in the Kiwi Club helped bring flight attendants together for good causes, and her loss is a reminder of the unexpected tragedies that can happen even in the quietest of neighborhoods.

References: Former American Airlines Flight Attendant Who Founded Charity Organization Killed in Apparent Murder-Suicide | NY husband kills wife then himself in driveway in apparent Long Island murder-suicide: cops | Former Flight Attendant, Philanthropist Killed In NY Murder-Suicide Remembered As 'Sweet Soul'