In December 2010, the body of aspiring designer Sylvie Cachay was discovered in a bathtub at the exclusive Soho House in New York City. A water leak from her room might have helped unravel the mystery of her death.
Sylvie Cachay’s Rise in Fashion
Cachay moved to New York with ambitions of becoming a successful fashion designer. In 2006, she launched Syla, a swimwear line that gained significant attention. Her goal was to become a household name.
Meeting Nicholas Brooks
That summer, Cachay met Nicholas Brooks. Despite their different life stages, they connected deeply after tragedy struck when Cachay’s dog was killed during their first date. Brooks was 24 years old, living off a trust fund provided by his father, Joseph Brooks, a renowned composer.
A Troubled Relationship
The couple’s six-month relationship was fraught with issues. Tensions mounted when Cachay accused Brooks of stealing money from her, sending him an email threatening to involve the police.
The Night of the Fire
On December 8, 2010, Brooks and Cachay met at her West Village apartment. Brooks claimed a fire broke out, waking Cachay from her sleep. They extinguished the fire and chose to stay at a hotel.
Soho House
The couple checked into Soho House shortly after midnight. Footage showed them at the reception. Brooks stated Cachay needed help checking in due to medication she had taken.
At 12:45 a.m., a busboy delivered ice to their room. He did not see anyone else inside at that time.
The Final Hours
Brooks was seen on camera leaving and returning to the room multiple times. At 2:11 a.m., guests in a room below reported a water leak. By 2:18 a.m., Brooks left the room for the last time and went out for drinks.
Discovery of Cachay’s Body
Staff entered Room 20 after a second leak complaint at 2:51 a.m. Cachay’s body was found submerged in an overflowing bathtub. She was declared dead at 3:33 a.m.
Arrest and Conviction
Brooks returned to the hotel to find the area sealed off. He was arrested and later convicted of second-degree murder. In 2013, a jury sentenced him to 25 years to life for Cachay’s death.