Suffolk Reporter

Brian Cordovano, a 50-year-old resident of Ronkonkoma, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the double homicide of Ian Saalfield and Robert Julian in April 2022. The announcement was made by Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.

“Any justice obtained in this case does not allow Mr. Saalfield and Mr. Julian to see their families again, nor allow their families to say goodbye,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Justice does, however, allow us to keep a violent individual like this defendant from harming others for a long time. Today, we hope that this sentence brings some form of closure to the victims’ families and loved ones.”

The incident began on April 26, 2022, when Saalfield was reported missing by his wife after last being seen with Cordovano the previous evening. Saalfield left his home in Lake Grove with Cordovano at approximately 8:00 p.m., driving off in his white 2015 Lexus but never returned.

On May 2, 2022, authorities discovered Saalfield’s Lexus abandoned in Holtsville and responded to an overdose call involving Cordovano at a Ronkonkoma motel. While he was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, police linked him to a silver Toyota Corolla found at the motel parking lot belonging to Robert Julian.

Subsequent investigation led police to Julian's home in Selden where they found both Saalfield and Julian deceased from gunshot wounds to the head. Investigators concluded that Cordovano had killed both men on April 25, 2022.

Cordovano faced multiple charges including two counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree and three counts of Robbery in the First Degree along with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.