VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Norah Horwitz, 36, faced a Virginia Beach judge Monday morning after being charged in the stabbing death of her father Dr. Abbey Horwitz.
Norah, who Virginia Beach Police say is in the process of transitioning, was arrested on Saturday and charged with second-degree murder and stabbing in the commission of a felony.
According to a brief release from VBPD, officers responded to a call for service just before 9 a.m. Saturday at a home on Wren Place in the Birdneck Point neighborhood. That's where officers say they found 68-year-old Dr. Horwitz suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead by first responders just after 9 a.m. on Saturday.
According to the website for his practice, called The Art of Dentistry in Virginia Beach, Dr. Horwitz served as the President of the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and the President of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
News 3 reached out to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. They told us, "Dr. Horwitz was a wonderful man and we will respect his family's wishes for privacy at this time."
Those in businesses next to The Art of Dentistry said the loss will be felt throughout the community.
"He's been my dentist since I was eight years old. He was also instrumental in helping us start here, you know. He jumped right on board and gave us advice and came to our grand opening without us even having to ask him," said Michele Nielsen, neighboring business-owner.
"He showed us how to be a good boss, a good person," said Michael Maugeri, neighboring business-owner.
Dr. Horwitz' practice closed for Monday in mourning. Friends and co-workers who gathered there said Dr. Horwitz was a generous man who went out of his way to assist others.
Sunday's news release from Virginia Beach police did not disclose any potential motive, nor did it reveal any of the "probable cause" evidence police used to secure arrest warrants from a magistrate.
In court, Norah said she worked as a dishwasher and was assigned a public defender by the judge. She is currently being held at the Virginia Beach Jail.
