Steven Silks
NYPD Deputy Chief and 38-year veteran who allegedly viewed Weiner laptop evidence, found dead in police vehicle.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Steven Silks |
| Born | ~1957 |
| Died | June 5, 2019 |
| Age at Death | 62 |
| Location of Death | Queens, New York, USA |
| Cause of Death | Self-inflicted gunshot wound |
| Official Ruling | Suicide |
| Category | NYPD Officer / Alleged Weiner Laptop Witness |
Assessment: SUSPICIOUS
Silks was the first in a cluster of four NYPD officers who died within 22 days in June 2019. He was a 38-year veteran and Deputy Chief of Patrol Borough Queens North — a senior position with potential access to sensitive investigations. His death kicked off what became the worst suicide cluster in NYPD history. The claim that he personally oversaw evidence-gathering from the Weiner laptop has been published by fringe outlets but not verified by mainstream sources.
Circumstances of Death
Deputy Chief Steven Silks, 62, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a police vehicle in Queens on June 5, 2019. He had served the NYPD for 38 years.
Connection to Weiner Laptop
Silks is named in online claims as one of 12 NYPD officers who allegedly viewed files on Anthony Weiner's laptop after it was seized in September 2016 during a sexting investigation. The claim states that 9 of these 12 officers subsequently died. The specific allegation is that Silks "was directly involved in the sex crimes investigation of former Congressman Anthony Weiner, and personally oversaw evidence-gathering from the laptop." This claim originated from outlets including Hal Turner Radio Show and State of the Nation and has not been independently verified.
Related Deaths — NYPD Weiner Laptop Cluster
- Joseph Calabrese — Died June 6, 2019, one day after Silks
- Michael Caddy — Died June 14, 2019
- Kevin Preiss — Died June 27, 2019
- Terrence McAvoy — Died July 27, 2019
- Johnny Rios — Died 2019
- Robert Echeverria — Found at his Laurelton home
See also: Jeffrey Epstein | Ghislaine Maxwell
Key Quotes from Media Coverage
"He cleaned out his locker, drove two blocks, and put a gun to his head, which is tragic. His whole life was wrapped up in the NYPD." — Bill Stanton, friend and ex-cop (Bronx Times)
"It was a tragedy and a mystery. I didn't realize the separation anxiety was as deep as it was." — Tom Fahey, retired NYPD assistant chief (Bronx Times)
"He was highly intelligent and probably would have been successful in any career he had chosen. He was just a good soul. He said he was having separation anxiety and I said why don't you talk to someone." — Lou Palumbo, friend (Bronx Times)
"Three brave members of our police force have taken their lives in recent days. All of them led lives that made their communities better. All of their lives had meaning." — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (CBS News)
Why This Death Possibly Raises Questions
- First of four NYPD officer deaths in a 22-day span in June 2019
- Senior rank (Deputy Chief) with potential access to sensitive cases
- Allegedly connected to Weiner laptop examination
- Part of a year in which 10 NYPD officers died by suicide — an unprecedented number
- The cluster timing mirrors patterns seen in other Epstein-adjacent death clusters
See Also
- Joseph Calabrese — NYPD detective found dead the day after Silks; second in the June 2019 cluster
- Michael Caddy — NYPD officer, third death in the June 2019 cluster
- Kevin Preiss — NYPD officer, fourth death in the June 2019 cluster
- Terrence McAvoy — NYPD sergeant, fifth named officer to die in the 2019 cluster
- Johnny Rios — NYPD officer, allegedly viewed the Weiner laptop; died by gunshot
- Robert Echeverria — NYPD officer, another alleged Weiner laptop viewer found dead
Other Shocking Stories
- Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor): First senior British royal arrested in nearly 400 years. Arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office; not charged.
- Terrence McAvoy: NYPD sergeant. Allegedly viewed the Weiner laptop evidence. Suicide. Five officers now dead.
- Deborah Jeane Palfrey: The DC Madam said publicly she would never hang herself. Found hanged 16 days after conviction.
- Michael Jackson: Visited Epstein's mansion. Died of drug intoxication administered by his own doctor. Convicted of manslaughter.
Sources
- TIME: 10 NYPD Officers Have Died by Suicide in 2019
- CNN: A ninth NYPD officer this year has died by suicide
- NBC New York: Timeline — The NYPD's Ongoing 2019 Suicide Crisis
- Police1: NYPD chief dies by suicide month before mandatory retirement
- Bronx Times: Chief Steven Silks, borough cop, mourned after suicide
- QChron: High-ranking officer commits suicide
- PIX11: NYPD mourning veteran chief who killed himself ahead of mandatory retirement
- Gothamist: High-Ranking NYPD Officer Takes Own Life Weeks Before Forced Retirement
- Heavy: Steven Silks Dead — Right-Wing Trolls Link NYPD Hero's Death to Clintons
- Patch: NYPD Mourns Death Of Queens Police Chief Steven Silks
- QNS: Late Queens deputy police chief remembered as a 'charming intelligent man'
- PoliceMag: Veteran NYPD Chief Dies by Suicide Before Mandatory Retirement
- CBS News: Third NYPD officer dies by suspected suicide in less than 10 days
This information was built by Grok and Claude AI research.
Status: Deceased (2019)