Eventually, the historic property was bought by a local developer who invested millions of dollars to return it to its once-lavish state and convert it into a hotel. High-powered developer Gary Melius a heavy hitter in the blood sport of Long Island politics was shot in the head by a masked gunman in an apparent assassination attempt Monday outside his tony Oheka Castle, police said. "It was a cowardly act, whoever hired these guys," he said. During World War II, Oheka Castle became a radio operator's school for the Merchant Marines. (Paul Prince) Spota exited about an hour after his 11 a.m. arrival to see Melius, a poker buddy. Or was the gunman simply a disgruntled employee of the Gold Coast castle? Authorities set up informational checkpoints, interviewing passing motorists and anyone else who might have seen something useful. Infamous (and possibly haunted) Long Island home. Perhaps Fitzgerald might have described these nostalgic revelers with this fitting passage from Gatsby "boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.". After the sale, it was used for several purposes, including as a retreat for New York City sanitation workers. These days, Oheka Castle hosts daily tours of its gorgeous property. The Suffolk County Police Department declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. It began with hauling out 300 trailer trucks worth of trash over the first six months of repairs. The owner of Oheka Castle, Gary Melius, was gunned down in his car, authorities said, by a suspect who may have been wearing a mask. Its later years were, unfortunately, less glamourous. Originally a 127-room "house," Oheka Castle is now a 32-bedroom hotel. According to Newsday, Suffolk Deputy Chief Kevin Fallon said the sources' account cited by the paper was incorrect. OHEKA CASTLE | Reception Venues - The Knot Modern Minimalist by Vera Wang Beloved Floral - Red Elegant Glow - Blue Woodbury Wedding Venues OHEKA CASTLE 4.8 ( 32) 135 West Gate Drive, Serving NYC and LI, NY Call About This Vendor A Royal Estate of Affairs "I cooperated with the police in looking at him, whatever they wanted, but there's nothing.". "It was not a robbery," D'Amato told Newsday after leaving his pal's hospital room, where cops were posted outside. And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts: Thirty-four miles outside of bustling New York City stands the luxurious Oheka Castle, a century-old mansion that was once the second-largest private residence in the United States. When I first saw OHEKA back in 1984, even in its devastated state, I fell in love. The who's who of high-society, international politicians, and, of course, famous Hollywood movie stars were regularly spotted at the residence. the gunman fired a shot into his driver's side window. The 70-year-old developer and major political donor was getting into his Mercedes Benz in the estate's parking lot when the gunman fired a shot into his driver's side window. While Melius was well known in the community and respected for his charitable donations, he was also involved in a local controversy last year, playing a role in the political scandal that led to the ouster of Nassau County's police commissioner at the time. It's been nearly four years since someone shot Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius in the face, and the assassination attempt is still . Pathway to power: Gary Melius' rise through Long Island's cozy political system. Its been nearly four years since someone shot Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius in the face, and the assassination attempt is still shrouded in mystery. It became a hotel that has hosted celebrity weddings. Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. While no one saw an actual ghost, some of our #FBIMostWanted cast and crew mentioned an uneasy feeling on the top floor near the green rooms! Natasha Ishak is a staff writer at All That's Interesting. But the owner of the mansion, Gary Melius, lived through a much darker experience there. But the estate was no longer the playground for the rich and famous it once was. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. It was a big gamble, but it paid off. HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The victim of an assassination attempt on Long Island spoke out Tuesday, a year after he was shot in front of the historic mansion he owns. 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He reportedly renegotiated its $27.9-million mortgage last August and had defaulted on the loan in 2012. Its original 443-acre plot has shrunk to 23 acres over the last century. It was the country home of investment financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn and his family. Last year, he was at the heart of a political scandal that led to the resignation of Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale. Cops also hadn't determined how many shots were fired and had not interviewed the victim. The construction of Oheka Castle began in 1917 and was completed two years later. So who does Melius think wanted him dead? Please enter valid email address to continue. The property later became Oheka Castle. Owner Gary Melius has spoken of plans to add more renovations and upgrades to Oheka Castle which would cost another $20 million. He told them he has no idea who tried to kill him, and there are no known witnesses. "First place they look is my family so it was a tough thing to get used to," Melius said. State Supreme . Oheka Castle owner recovering after murder attempt; Hunt for gunman DAmato told reporters gathered at the hospital that the shooting was an assassination attempt. In 2016, then-Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini released. Devils shutout rival Rangers in Game 7 for 1st series win since 2012, Manhattan subway argument turns deadly: NYPD, Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot dies at age 84, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. It was completed in 1919 for financier Otto Kahn and then restored by Melius as a luxury hotel, catering hall, and conference center.
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