Stephen Heck (New Castle County Police), Cynthia Amalfitano (WPVI screengrab)
A beloved preschool teacher of more than two decades in Delaware who never showed up to work last week was murdered by her boyfriend, police allege.
The New Castle County Division of Police said that 66-year-old Stephen Heck, the boyfriend of 63-year-old Cynthia Amalfitano, was arrested Tuesday on a first-degree murder charge, more than a week after the victim vanished and exactly one week after she was found dead near a parking lot in Wilmington.
Cops said that a call for a welfare check when Amalfitano uncharacteristically didn't show up for work was what first brought their attention to the victim's on Sept. 25 disappearance. When authorities got to her Wilmington residence, Amalfitano's cell phone and wallet were at the scene but she was nowhere to be found.
"Officers were unable to locate the victim, however they found her possessions, cell phone, and wallet inside the home. Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit later assumed the investigation," cops said. "Officers and investigators followed up on multiple tips and conducted property checks for the victim."
The next day, investigators found Amalfitano's body "near a parking lot in Carousel Park," a short drive away from her residence.
Authorities said that they determined on Sept. 27 that Amalfitano was the victim of a homicide and that Heck was a person of interest in the crime. By Tuesday, he officially became the prime suspect.
"Following a thorough investigation into the incident, detectives authored a warrant for Stephen's arrest on October 3, 2023. Heck was taken into custody without incident by detectives from the Special Investigations Squad," police said.
Chief of Police Col. Joseph Bloch said his "thoughts are with" Amalfitano's family "during this tragic and difficult time."
"I would also like to commend our Criminal Investigations Unit for gathering enough evidence to take the suspect into custody, providing some measure of solace to the victim's family," he added.
An obituary for Amalfitano referred to her as Cindy and said she taught at Concord Preschool for over 26 years.
"During the 1990's, she helped at the family shop, Claymont News and Gifts, making floral arrangements. She attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church while living in Wilmington. A creative soul, she was a fantastic cook, seamstress, and crafter," the obit said. "Cindy also loved animals and took care of her cats, fish, horses, and goats, but nothing brought her more joy than her two dogs, Vaughn and Jingles."
News of Amalfitano's violent death "rocked the staff" and the preschool and it "had to close quickly," Concord Presbyterian Church Pastor Steven Clark told local NBC affiliate WCAU.
The pastor separately told ABC affiliate WPVI that Amalfitano "lit up a room wherever she was."