The Pennsylvania man suspected of killing a Brooklyn artist at a wellness retreat in the Hamptons had been in a romantic relationship with the victim, Sabina Rosas, for years. Rosas, who was trying to distance herself from him, was found dead in a guest room at the Shou Sugi Ban House in Water Mill, New York. The suspect, Thomas Gannon, was located at his home in Pennsylvania, where he had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Gannon, a flooring contractor, had been involved romantically with Rosas for about four years and funded some of her projects, according to a professor who had taught Rosas at SUNY Purchase.
Liz Phillips, the professor, had a sense that Rosas wanted to get away from Gannon, whom she had brought to her house twice this year. Phillips and her husband found Gannon unsettling and felt that Rosas was growing tired of his presence. Despite their romantic involvement, Rosas and Gannon had agreed that she would visit Phillips alone in Queens on Monday, but she never arrived. Rosas was originally from Tajikistan and had a unique background that Phillips praised in a recommendation letter, noting her hard work and talent as a creative with the potential to be a strong leader in the art world.
Gannon had sold his shares in his flooring company over a year ago and had no contact with his former business partner since then. He had also designed escape rooms and similar structures and had built a house in Tajikistan for Rosas. Gannon, who was divorced, was found dead in his Pennsylvania home, which he had recently listed for sale. Phillips expressed regret that Gannon had taken Rosas’ life and lamented the tragic outcome of the situation.
Rosas’ journey to the U.S. was marked by her family fleeing Tajikistan during a civil war when she was a child. They traveled through Europe and Central Asia before settling in America in 2009, where Rosas pursued her studies in art. Phillips described Rosas as a terrific young person with exciting projects in development and the ability to connect people and cultures through her work. She had collaborators around the world and was seen as having the potential to be a leader in the art community.
The murder of Rosas at a luxury wellness retreat in the Hamptons shocked those who knew her, as well as those who had encountered her suspected killer, Gannon. The investigation into the tragic incident revealed the complex relationship between Rosas and Gannon, shedding light on their past romantic involvement and the tensions that may have led to her untimely death. The circumstances surrounding the case painted a picture of a talented and ambitious artist whose life was cut short by a violent act, leaving those who knew her mourning her loss and grappling with the senseless tragedy.
