<p>The settlement agreement was on the verge of collapse after disagreements between Thomas&#39; mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, and Suffolk and the other defendants in the case. NewsdayTV&#39;s Ken Buffa reports.</p>


Long Island

Crime

liVALVA260728_video

Judge approves $9M settlement in death of 8-year-old Thomas Valva

long island

Suffolk

onecms:7a2d6469-0f03-45c3-8f3e-0ef7e6fcb62f

Newsday

Judge approves $9M settlement

onecms_3a0949c2-acc4-40a9-aa24-966fd2522b47_d1c4b3fa-2ad4-4ef2-8d9e-310330396d72.jpg

Most Popular

Latest videos

Crime video slot

The settlement agreement was on the verge of collapse after disagreements between Thomas' mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, and Suffolk and the other defendants in the case. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Suffolk police charged three people following a street takeover involving at least 200 ATV's, dirtbikes and motorcycles that began in Hauppauge.

Street takeover prompts police response

Matthew Smith sentenced to up to 22 years in prison for drunken-driving crash that killed Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

'Nothing is going to bring my wife back'

Six men were arrested in a gun trafficking take-down in Nassau County. Newsday TV's Jamie Stuart reports.

'Recovering 47 firearms'

Crime Article Bottom Module

Jordy Contreras was indicted Tuesday on charges of sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement and three counts of receipt of child pornography for his alleged conduct between December 2025 and June.

LI college student indicted on child abuse, porn charges

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said Joseph Horner, a music teacher, had been fixated on his sister-in-law, Victoria Castle.

LI music teacher charged with killing sister-in-law practiced chokehold on stuffed animal before attack, prosecutors say

The Gilgo Beach killer's ex-wife believes it was an attempted break-in, according to her lawyer, though police say there was no attempt to enter the home.

Masked people bang on Gilgo Beach killer's door, prompting police response

The cat-and-mouse game with law enforcement has evolved into meetups that are widely advertised on social media, attracting hundreds of vehicles that paralyze busy roadways, while dozens look on, cellphones in hand.

Street takeovers creating dangerous conditions for drivers, spectators and law enforcement: police

Federal authorities said the defendants were linked to the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno crimes families in a case that alleged they rigged card games in Manhattan, Las Vegas and East Hampton.

Queens, LI defendants plead guilty in mob gambling case

He gave his life to rescue others during a mass shooting while working as a security guard at a Manhattan office building, officials said.

'An act of courage': NYPD Det. Didarul Islam remembered 1 year after his death

Sign up for the Morning Update newsletter

Morning Update Newsletter Widget

The New York State Office of Mental Health found Austin Lynch, 18, was not competent to stand trial after he was charged with the second-degree murder in the killing of Emily Finn, who had visited him at his home to return his belongings following a breakup.

3rd mental health exam ordered for LI teen charged with killing his ex-girlfriend

Crime Video Playlist

Suffolk County officials Monday warned of scammers, preying primarily on the elderly, who direct people to liquidate their life savings to buy gold bars. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Very thankful that we saved that money for her'

The mother of a 7-year-old who was allegedly tortured and killed is filing a $250 million lawsuit against Suffolk County. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'Multiple systems together that failed at every single point'

Joseph Horner, 27, of North Massapequa, pleaded not guilty in the killing of his sister-in-law, Victoria Castle, 25, of Massapequa. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

LI teacher charged with murder

According to investigators, Alison Winter was practicing as a clinical social worker without a license between November 2018 and May 2024. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'Psychotherapy is really an umbrella term'

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney sat down with NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa to discuss the Gilgo case and the sentencing of Rex Heuermann.

'We had a very strong case'

Ten people are facing charges for allegedly running illegal massage parlors in Suffolk and Queens. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

'We wanted to go up one level and get the managers'

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa sat down with Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. to discuss what it was like holding the Gilgo Beach serial killer in custody, Heuermann's penchant for Jack the Ripper and what his future likely looks like in state prison.

'They have plenty of time to get him if they want to'

The footage released shows three officers approaching a home where they found Steven Eastwood, standing over his mother with a knife. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports. Credit: Newsday Studios; New York Attorney General Letitia James' Office

'Drop the knife'

Rex Heuermann's Attorney Michael Brown sat down with Newsday following his client's sentencing to discuss the case. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'I do think he saw the writing on the wall'

Admitted Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann on Wednesday was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the killing of 8 women. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'Get him out of here'

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa sat down for an exclusive interview with Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr, who said he didn't want Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann to "attempt any self-harm."

'He had this serial killer mentality'

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney sat down with Newsday following Rex Heuermann's sentencing. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

'They never leave you'

Homepage Trending

Cyclospora: How to protect yourself

Wallet Watch

FeedMe Magazine

Summer Fun Book

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Two people, clad in black masks, banged on the door of Rex A. Heuermann's Massapequa Park home Tuesday night.

2 shown on Ring camera banging on door of Rex A. Heuermann's home

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits three restaurants where dining al fresco is the way to go.

Out East: Restaurants with great outdoor spaces

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa learns the 'high pressure' job of an engineer at National Grid's materials testing lab in Melville.

LI Works: Under pressure with Ken at National Grid

A pop-up at Robert Moses State Park called "Shark Shack" teaches about marine life and shark safety.

Shark Shack at Robert Moses State Park tells you what to do when you meet a shark

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa stops by Smokin' Al's in Massapequa to try their oversized nachos, known as Macho Nachos.

Trendy Bites: 'Macho Nachos' at Smokin' Al's

Suffolk created a street takeover task force in 2024 that has broken up more than 100 incidents in the county.

Street takeovers: What LI police departments do to combat the problem

From a surf lesson to eating along the boardwalk, Newsday travel writer Carissa Kellman explores Rockaway Beach.

Surf’s up: Best waves, best bites in Rockaway Beach 

SailAhead, an organization that works to end veteran suicide by introducing former servicemen and women to sailing, took 100 veterans on the water Sunday. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

SailAhead takes 100 veterans sailing

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano tries a Hyrox fitness class at Black Bear Athletics in West Babylon.

Why Hyrox is trending on Long Island

From pizza to clams, Newsday food writer Andi Berlin visits two restaurants that are on the way to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater.

Eats en route to Jones Beach

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Music teacher pleads not guilty ... Southold ICE meeting ... Masked people bang on Heuermann's door ... Scourge of street takeovers

Music teacher pleads not guilty ... Masked people bang on Heuermann's door ... Scourge of street takeovers

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

Crime - megaslot

Follow crime and courts news in Nassau and Suffolk, including incidents reported in your neighborhood, trial coverage, sentencings and more.

Stay logged in.