"Mayor of LIC" murdered near Dutch Kills home

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A 67-year-old man was beaten to death by a stranger outside his home in Queens on Wednesday night, police said.

It happened at about 10:45 p.m. outside 39-22 Crescent Street in the Long Island City section.

The victim, Nicholas Nowillow, had lived in the home for 34 years.

Neighbor Michelle Koutsilius, who lives next door to Nowillow, had called him on her cell phone and asked him to escort her from her car to her door since there was a man acting strangely outside the home and she felt intimidated by him.

Nowillow came out to walk her home when he was attacked by the man -- who allegedly beat and kicked Nowillow.

Nowillow was rushed to Astoria General Hospital in Cardiac Arrest, where he later died.

Koutsilius says Nowillow was like a father to her since her own mother died - and now she feels responsible for his death.

Police arrested the 43-year-old man but have not charged him yet.

From Eyewitness News:

The heartless suspect, who witnesses appeared to be impaired or on drugs, was taken into custody. Charges against him are pending. The female neighbor said Nowillo was like a father to her. Some neighbors said they referred to the diminutive man as the "Mayor of Long Island City."