Woman Fatally Shot by Ex-Con Fiancé, Body Left Decomposing, Sister Says

A Queens woman who worked at a domestic violence shelter was allegedly fatally shot by her ex-con fiancé, Mark Washington, and her body was left to decompose in his home, according to police and her sister.

Angelique Apostol, 38, was found dead in Washington’s St. Albans residence on June 24. She was last seen alive on June 10, according to her sister, Melanie Apostol.

Investigators were initially unable to identify a gunshot wound due to the decomposition of Apostol’s body, police and sources said. Melanie Apostol identified her sister by tattoos bearing her children’s names.

According to Melanie, Apostol and Washington attended a charity event together on June 10. Ring camera footage shows them returning to Washington's home, and he allegedly left alone approximately 45 minutes later with his belongings.

Washington, 55, who has 11 prior arrests, remains at large in connection with the shooting. Melanie Apostol stated that her sister trusted Washington, and their engagement was publicly shared on TikTok. "She trusted him and she did love him, and she would have never suspected that he would have done anything like this," Melanie said.

Angelique Apostol was known for her dedication to her family and her work. She helped care for her sister’s four children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum, and had enrolled in home health aide classes to assist them. Her sister noted the tragic irony of Apostol working in a domestic violence shelter given the circumstances of her death. She also volunteered by distributing soup to the homeless.

Washington's arrest history includes a 2002 charge for attempted murder in Queens, for which the case's disposition is unclear. He also served over two years in state prison for a reckless endangerment conviction from September 2019 to February 2022.

The NYPD has released photos of Washington and is asking for the public’s assistance in locating him. Information can be submitted to the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or online via the Crime Stoppers website or X (@NYPDTips).