Gary Melius has hosted several celebrity events at his castle, including Debbie Gibson's 2nd annual Gibson Girl Foundation Benefit on May 21, 2012. It has since been converted into a 32-bedroom luxury hotel featuring a grand ballroom, restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, and more. CBS on Twitter: "RT @WolfEnt: We spent dusk til dawn filming at Oheka Suozzi still lost in November. 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. "When I first bought the property, it looked like something from a horror movie," Melius said. Restoration efforts to restore Oheka Castle to its former glory and upgrade amenities cost $37 million over 20 years. In 2016, then-Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini released. Infamous (and possibly haunted) Long Island home. A day after the attack, Melius posted a statement on Ohekas Facebook page, thanking those who have offered prayers and expressing his desire to return to the castle and to get back to work. So who does Melius think wanted him dead? Melius, who was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, has long been involved with the Democratic, Republican and Independence parties, contributing more than $800,000 total to the three parties since 1999, according to state records. Shock spread among guests at the hotel and banquet hall after the shooting Monday. The moment the Oheka Castle's owner was shot in his Mercedes February 25, 2016 | 3:25pm. Still, Oheka Castle remains an impressive sight. Detectives were scanning hours of surveillance video and visitor logs. Frank MacKay, a friend of Melius, told NBC 4 New York that Melius was sitting in his car when a man appeared outside and opened fire on him through the glass window. What is permanently damaged is his reputation, after what he called a character assassination in the press that hurt more than the shooting. Once Melius was in stable condition, a whos-who of local politics have been visiting him in the hospital in a show of supportDAmato, of course, plus former Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, among others. Independence Party Chairman Frank Mackay, a close confidante of Melius, was in Louisiana with his family when the shooting occurred and was almost overcome with worry. A lone masked shooter blasted through the car window and struck the 69-year-old in the head before speeding away, reportedly in a Jeep Cherokee. In shock," she said. 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The famous Gatsby mansion has also hosted 1920s-style parties, where the wealthy once again sip champagne while dressed in period-garb. Oheka Castle owner recovering after murder attempt Former President Bill Clinton presided over the wedding of then-Rep. Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin, a close aide to then-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in 2010. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Huntington, N.Y., was shot Monday morning by a masked gunman. Police stand in front of Oheka Castle on Long Island after owner Gary Melius was shot on the premises Monday. Fish contaminated with "forever chemicals" found in nearly every state, CBS News Poll: How GOP primary race could be Trump v. 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The owner, who also lives there, was shot by an unknown assailant Monday. Oheka Castle also been seen as a backdrop in a number of movies, including "Citizen Kane," television shows and magazine photo shoots, and it has been used for high-profile political events and fundraisers. Melius said he has recovered from his injuries. "I cannot believe this; you are not safe anywhere," said Natasha Silne, a newlywed who was supposed to check into the hotel with her husband for their honeymoon. He reportedly renegotiated its $27.9-million mortgage last August and had defaulted on the loan in 2012. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota after visiting shooting victim and Oheka Castle Owner Gary Melius at North Shore University Hospital on Wednesday. Okeha Castle Owner Speaks About Shooting Incident - YouTube "It was not a robbery," D'Amato told Newsday after leaving his pal's hospital room, where cops were posted outside. Orson Welles used its exterior to shoot some scenes there in 1940 for his American classic Citizen Kane. It took 18 months to scrape off the original paint from the railings during initial repairs. Oheka Castle owner and poker player Gary Melius 'extremely lucky' to David Winzelberg // January 15, 2019. The house was featured in a book by subsequent owners who claimed . the gunman fired a shot into his driver's side window. Melius, a supporter of the third-party candidate, then contacted Dale seeking to have the young man investigated. 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! Owner Shot in Head at Oheka Castle, Prominent Wedding Venue on Long Police interviewed Melius at his hospital bed for the first time Tuesday. Gary Melius, the owner of Suffolk County's Oheka Castle who was shot in the head in February, has released his first comments on the incident in a video statement. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. . Newsday reporter discusses assassination attempt of Oheka Castle owner 4 years later. Gary Melius | New York Post Melius has changed his security procedures since the incident, but doesn't give the shooting a second thought. A shooter tried to gun down Gary Melius, the powerful owner of Oheka Castlethe palatial hotel, restaurant, catering hall and frequent film set in Huntingtonbut Melius survived a gunshot wound to the head in broad daylight as he got into his car at the estate on Feb. 24. 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. Oheka Castle shooting: Complete coverage - Newsday Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius, 69, shot in the head by masked gunman ", "MrBeast Reveals Why He Spent $1 Million for One Night in a Hotel", Gold Coast Mansions Historic Long Island Home, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oheka_Castle&oldid=1147042569. In 2013, Melius was part of a controversy that resulted in the ouster of then-Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale over the arrest of a witness in an election lawsuit. The who's who of high-society, international politicians, and, of course, famous Hollywood movie stars were regularly spotted at the residence. "He said he had evidence of witness tampering and other crimes," the source said. "They wanted to help some way and felt, you know, really helpless," Melius said. Gary Melius, 69 years old, was fired upon at least three times and was hit once on the right side of the head Monday in the parking lot of the castle, a popular event space he owns, Suffolk County . Visitors can tour other Historic Gold Coast Mansions, such as the Vanderbilt Museum, Old Westbury Gardens, Mill Neck Manor, and Coe Hall, which collectively were the inspiration for the classic novel, "The Great Gatsby"; relax on one of Long Island's beautiful sandy beaches; enjoy a classical music concert by the LI Philharmonic at the Tilles Center; or indulge in a wine tasting in Long Island's Wine Country on the North Fork. In 1939, the family sold the sprawling property to the Welfare Fund of the Sanitation Workers and Oheka Castle became a retirement home for the sanitation workers of New York City. Oheka Castle's entirety was kept in tip-top shape by a team of 126 full-time servants. Castle Owner's Connections Investigated in Shooting - WSJ Melius boasts of friendships with King and Democratic Rep. Steve Israel. "It was an attempt at assassination . The Associated Press contributed to this report. The financier had created the 109,000-square-foot manor in 1919. Gary Melius was shot at point blank range while getting into his car in the parking lot of his Long Island venue - Oheka Castle - on February 24. Tuesday, Melius gave a statement to Eyewitness News saying; "I look forward to coming home. Oheka Castle owner recovering after murder attempt; Hunt for gunman continues By ABC13 Tuesday, February 25, 2014 HUNTINGTON, NY It happened on the mansion's lavish grounds in broad. Cops believe the black sedan was the lookout car, Newsday's sources said. As a family-owned business it is my personal goal to ensure that everyone who enters the gates of OHEKA feels like a welcome guest, whether you are attending a wedding, staying in one of our guest rooms, joining us for dinner, or going on an Historic Mansion Tour. Melius was hospitalized for more than week, Police have had little to go on in the case, a Jeep Cherokee spotted driving away from the scene. 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. This is the library at Oheka Castle which includes a secret passageway behind one of the bookshelves. Sources told Newsday the suspect pressed a gun against Melius' closed window, then fired a round. This case is the biggest whodunit to hit Long Island in recent memory. After Otto Hermann Kahn's death in 1934, Oheka Castle moved between multiple ownerships. All rights reserved. The huge reward and a tip line were funded by friends of the Long Island power-broker who restored Oheka Castle as a catering venue. It was about 12:30 p.m., a Monday, and the developer-turned-owner of Oheka Castlea historic 127-room French-style chateau tucked behind rolling hills and residential homes in Huntingtonwas reportedly about to meet his pal, former U.S. Sen. Al DAmato, for lunch. The kickback must have caused the weapon to jam, because the shooter was seen on the video trying to fix the gun, Newsday reported. (Credit: Melius Family). ", Oheka Castle is one of Long Island's most exclusive hotels, located in Huntington, N.Y. Authorities on Thursday released surveillance video showing the man who shot the owner of Long Island's . There is plenty to do during your visit to Long Island. According to sources cited by the newspaper, security footage shows a black sedan pulling into the valet area - followed by a Jeep Cherokee. Oheka Castle, which is also a hotel offering $1,095-a-night . Police have had little to go on in the case, though they have been searching for the suspect's alleged getaway vehicle -- a Jeep Cherokee spotted driving away from the scene. All Rights Reserved. It became a hotel that has hosted celebrity weddings. Oheka Castle's construction began in 1917 and was completed two years later. Melius political dealings have also resulted in some controversy. Oheka Castle owner recovering after murder attempt By abc7NY Tuesday, February 25, 2014 HUNTINGTON, New York Investigators say the gunman wore a black mask and ambushed 69-year old Gary Melius. Mevorach asked. The shooting was captured on surveillance. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He was most famous for reorganizing the Union Pacific Railroad alongside railroad tycoon E. H. Harriman. Was Typhoid Mary A Reckless Superspreader Or A Tragic Victim? Gary Melius shooting still shrouded in mystery 4 years later Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Melius, who was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, has long been involved with the Democratic, Republican and Independence parties, contributing more than $800,000 total to the three parties since 1999, according to state records. "It was a cowardly act, whoever hired these guys," he said. Now, Oheka Castle is once again among the most famous estates in all of Long Island. Cops also hadn't determined how many shots were fired and had not interviewed the victim. Long Island hotelier Gary Melius, 69, shot in the head at point-blank range outside his $30m Oheka Castle on Monday. "We've had our differences in the political realm," he said. If this near- death experience has done anything it is a reminder to live each day, celebrate life and embrace your family. "Some would ask, why not have that reward out there two weeks after or a month after?" Dive into this mega-mansion's history and find out what makes it so special. The historic Oheka Castle in Huntington is brimming with stories that would fill any bride's fantasies. The Gold Coast estate routinely hosts celebrity events, including a May 2012 benefit for pop star Debbie Gibson's charitable foundation. "As best as we can determine, (Melius) was entering his vehicle," Suffolk Police Detective Sgt. CBS New York reported the video shows the suspect's weapon getting jammed before the suspect then flees in a vehicle. The paper reports records show that Thomas Melius was released from a months-long jail stint just five days before his father was shot. Melius undertook the largest private residential renovation project in the United States to restore the house, which was in a state of almost total disrepair, and recreate the gardens from the original Olmsted plans. 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. Son of Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius probed in father's shooting Deborah Bryggman works at the mansion as a tour guide. (Veronique Louis for New York Daily News). He sold it a few years later, then regained ownership in 2003. / CBS/AP. It doesn't appear to be an accidental shooting at this time.". After the sale, it was used for several purposes, including as a retreat for New York City sanitation workers. After the shooting, Rosenberg says, he managed to stagger back to the castle and call for help. Gary Melius told the paper that he believes police spent several months looking into his son, 34-year-old Thomas Melius, because of his problems with drugs, but could not connect him to the crime. It is a popular wedding venue for socialites, celebrities, and dignitaries, as well as the backdrop to many photo shoots, television series and films. "I have never thought five minutes about it, I have not had five minutes of fear," Melius said. (Christie M. Farriella for New. Visitors to the estate must pass by its long driveway which is lined with manicured red cedar trees. The name "Oheka" is an acronym using the first several letters of each part of its creator's name, Otto Hermann Kahn, which Kahn also used to name his yacht Oheka II and his ocean-front Villa Oheka in Palm Beach, Florida. He holds an M.S. It has been used to film popular shows like. Mevorach asked. Restorations of Oheka Castle have cost $37 million over the last 20 years. 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Now that you've learned about the multimillion-dollar Oheka Castle in Long Island, go inside nine abandoned castles that are now haunting shells of their former glory. Castle owner Melius survived the shooting by a masked gunman in the . Please enter valid email address to continue. The Gatsby Suite, pictured here, is a nod to the hotel's alleged ties to, Kahn famously hosted extravagant parties at his summer estate. Melius offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Then, 222 new windows and doors were purchased to reseal the property as well as 4,000 new roof slates to fix the damaged roof. Natasha Ishak is a staff writer at All That's Interesting. The owner of a prominent wedding venue on Long Island where celebrities and dignitaries have held their lavish nuptials was shot in the head at the sprawling mansion Monday. In August, Melius negotiated a modification of Oheka's $27.9-million mortgage loan and got a five-year extension, Newsday reported, citing Trepp, a Manhattan-based company that tracks commercial mortgages. But the owner of the mansion, Gary Melius, lived through a much darker experience there. Gary Melius has a vast and complicated business enterprise, so that means there are a lot of places to look. Construction began in 1917 and was completed after two years. Was it related to politics, as one source with close ties to Melius who did not want his name used adamantly tells the Press? The young man was arrested on an outstanding warrant while riding a county bus on Oct. 5. 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. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota after visiting shooting victim and Oheka Castle Owner Gary Melius at North Shore University Hospital on Wednesday. Oheka Castle, which is also a hotel offering $1,095-a-night suites, says on its website that it can accommodate up to 1,000 wedding guests. The FBI has also offered assistance, an agency spokesperson tells the Press. Hed make his case that the two major parties had failed the republic and then move on. Investigators will review surveillance footage. 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. Former President Bill Clinton officiated the wedding of Anthony Weiner, ex- congressman and mayoral candidate, at the castle in 2010. Suffolk County Detective Sgt. Was it a former business partner or rival? An investigation by the Nassau County district attorney found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing but raised questions about the ethics of Dale's actions, leading to his resignation. Perhaps Fitzgerald might have described these nostalgic revelers with this fitting passage from Gatsby "boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.". Views of the garden from the hotel's restaurant. The tip line can be reached at (631) 912-6969. Melius was hospitalized for more than week. He was rushed by a family member to nearby Syosset Hospital and was said to be alert and conscious after being transferred to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. (Christie M. Farriella for New York Daily News). Toute l'actualit et les dernires informations sur la rgion Hauts-de-France, qui a t cre suite la rforme territoriale de 2015. August 29, 2014 / 11:47 AM MacKay described Melius as alert and even joking on the phone after the shooting, and said "he's the toughest man I've ever met.". In recent weeks, Melius spoke with law enforcement authorities investigating political corruption, the source said. A view of Oheka Castle from afar. Bleeding profusely, Melius stumbled back toward the castle. from the school with a concentration in business and economics. Details of the tapestry and chandeliers that adorn the inside of the estate. It took another two months for the rails to be refinished to restore the grand staircase to its former glory. A look at the beautiful reflective pools inside the formal garden. Several years after Kahn's death in 1934, the estate was sold. A look at the swimming pool at Oheka Castle. The academy bulldozed the mansion's gardens and divided its luxurious rooms into smaller classrooms and dorms. After its original owner died, Oheka Castle was used as a retirement home and then a military academy until it was eventually abandoned. They have reviewed the castles video surveillance footage, but it reportedly did not catch the face of the would-be killer. For years, Oheka Castle was the site of the hottest parties on the East Coast. MacKidNPascack/TwitterThe castle was allegedly the inspiration behind the 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. Who Makes The Best Grilled Cheese on Long Island? The 70-year-old developer and major political donor. According to its current owner Gary Melius, the property "looked like something from a horror movie" when he first bought it in 1984. The mansion, built by Kahn between 1914 and 1919, is the largest private home in New York, and the second largest in the United States, comprising 127 rooms and over 109,000sqft (10,100m2), as originally configured. Footage shows 2 cars approaching scene where Oheka Castle owner Gary "This is an active, ongoing investigation, we're not going to be commenting," said a Suffolk County Police spokeswoman. Thomas Melius is the biological son of Gary Melius' wife. Its a puzzle, says Newsdays Sandra Peddie. Melius has clearly gambled his life on Oheka Castle. The castle, built in 1919 by financier Otto Kahn, was used as a setting in the classic 1941 film "Citizen Kane.". A family member? (Paul Prince) The high-rolling target of a botched hit outside his Long Island. The property was also the site of Kahn's daughter's wedding, which became the first of many wedding ceremonies hosted at Oheka Castle. Gary Melius, owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot on Monday. The employees entrance at the rear of the property, however, has no such securityand provides a quicker exit. Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. He also holds an M.A. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Unfortunately, the castle fell into disarray after Kahn's death in 1934, changing owners several times before finally standing vacant for over a decade. On Feb. 24 of last year, a masked gunman drove up to the renowned catering hall and opened fire. (Paul Prince) Spota exited about an hour after his 11 a.m. arrival to see Melius, a poker buddy. They said they will have an investigator with intricate knowledge of the case handling the calls. February 24, 2015 / 7:08 PM Christopher Twarowski is editor in chief of the Long Island Press and its chief of investigations. Not bad for a guy whod bankrolled the entire losing campaign of Manganos supposed opponent, Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick, for $23,000. I happen to be blessed with a very very large extended family who rallied to my side during the past 24 hours. OHEKA CASTLE | Reception Venues - The Knot Thomas Melius' attorney, Dennis Lemke, told Newsday that his client was in an inpatient drug program at the time of the crime. HUNTINGTON, N.Y. - The politically connected owner of a storied mansion-turned-wedding palace who survived being shot in the head by a masked assailant earlier this year says his son was being investigated as a person of interest in the shooting, according to Newsday. Meet Donald 'Pee Wee' Gaskins, The Cannibal Serial Killer Who Allegedly Murdered 90 People. Who Makes The Best Cookies on Long Island? Restoring Oheka Castle was a huge investment. Rice's decision drew the ire of her one-time political ally, Nassau County Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. Our Fabulous Variety Show Open Level Tween + Adult Tap Dance for Ages 11+ at Project Most! (KEVIN P. COUGHLIN/Kevin P.. It's especially popular as a wedding venue and a filming location for a number of movies and TV shows including the hit HBO series Succession.
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