The parents of Brenda VanTassell, the woman who was allegedly murdered by son-in-law and City of Poughkeepsie resident Miguel Rojas in his home at 23 Holmes St. on Sept. 6, said this week that their daughter was an honest, happy and well-meaning woman, and the tragedy of her death came as a shock to them.
In an interview, Van Tassell’s mother, Irene Lyons, and stepfather, Frank Lyons, denied claims that their daughter had financial or drug problems, saying that she spent most of her life helping others.
“She (Brenda) was right up-front, she was honest, and most the time she was always helping somebody else,” said Frank Lyons, who described the 45-year-old woman as “always smiling and happy-go-lucky.”
Police initially responded to a report of a robbery at 23 Holmes St. at 12:27 p.m. on Sept. 6 and found VanTassell dead. The next day, they arrested 35-year-old Rojas, who is married to Van Tassell’s daughter Lillian, and charged him with second-degree murder. He is currently being held at Dutchess County Jail. An autopsy concluded that VanTassell died of blunt force trauma, according to Dutchess County Medical Examiner Kari Reiber.
VanTassell had been living in Glenham with her sister Karen Borromeo at the time of the murder, and was also a frequent visitor to Rojas’ home. Her parents said that she frequently did work for Rojas’ company, Miguel’s Landscaping, and also babysat for her daughter. They said she had no financial problems.
“She paid all of her bills. She took care of herself. She wasn’t hard up for money at all,” said Frank Lyons.
He also said that any rumors of drug use were completely false.
“She didn’t use any drugs. That’s the flat-out truth,” said Frank Lyons.
“I’d know if she used drugs – I’m her mother,” Irene Lyons said.
Obviously emotional, her parents said that VanTassell’s death had been shocking for them.
“You always read about this happening to somebody else. Now it’s in my dooryard,” said Frank Lyons. “It’s unbelievable.”
They said they had gotten no further information from police after Rojas’ arrest and added that they wanted justice done.
“I just want the truth,” said Frank Lyons.
VanTassell had four grandchildren and is also survived by family members in Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park and Glenham.