A Bronx woman’s tragic murder sparked a devastating chain of events that resulted in a second death. Jacklyn Timinski, a Bronx resident, died from being struck in the head with a kettlebell.
This loss sent her boyfriend, 51-year-old Juan Boria, into a deep grief that spiralled into a series of arrests and ultimately ended with his death.
Weeks later, he was stabbed on the street while arguing with a homeless man about a box to sleep in.
Boria’s downward spiral lasted several weeks. Boria, who was overwhelmed with grief and did not take medication for his bipolar disorder, continued to live in the same Throggs.
Timinski was attacked at the neck house. His son, Joshua Boria, stated that his father believed he would soon be with her in heaven. He reiterated that he would see her again.
Boria was arrested on multiple charges including assault, harassment, and criminal mischief over the course of ten days.
His son, who was attempting to get his father mental health treatment, stated that Boria was deeply grieving and appeared to be on a path of self-destruction.
Neighbors noticed his increasingly erratic behavior, with one recalling him saying he’d make the news.
The tragic cycle began with Timinski’s death, following a difficult year that included her daughter, Olivia Rios, who committed suicide in January. Friends said Timinski became deeply depressed and disconnected after losing her daughter.
On September 8, Kaminski arrived home with Benjamin Lozovsky, a former celebrity photographer. According to police, Lozovsky struck her with a kettlebell, and she died of her injuries a week later. Lozovsky was arrested and is now facing charges, including murder.
Boria found it difficult to cope following Timinski’s death. On October 11, he returned to the house, which had been boarded up since her death. In a fit of rage, he removed the boards and set them ablaze in the front yard, alarming the neighbors.
Boria was arrested for arson and other offenses, but despite his son’s efforts, he did not receive adequate mental health care. Despite agreeing to a psychiatric evaluation, he was discharged from Bellevue Hospital just days before his death.
Boria got into a heated argument with Robert Brent, a homeless man who had recently lost his mother, just three days after being released.
According to witnesses, Boria attempted to take Brent’s sleeping box, resulting in a physical fight. Boria was stabbed in the abdomen during the altercation and later died of his injuries. Brent was arrested and charged with Boria’s murder.
Both men were well-known in the local community, especially among the homeless and drug users who congregated there. Despite his difficulties, Brent had a reputation for helping clean the streets, and those who knew him described him as generally nonviolent.
Brent’s brother insisted that violence was out of character for him, noting that his brother had struggled with addiction but was not known for violent behavior.
According to police records, Brent had previous arrests for drug possession, weapon possession, and robbery, but no history of violent offenses.
Boria’s son expressed regret that authorities had not done more to assist his father. He believed his father’s cries for help went unheard as the situation worsened.
“He was crying out for help in a very aggressive way,” Joshua said. “His whole thing was if nobody’s going to listen to me, you have to make noise. You have to be seen.”
