Nassau County police say 27-year-old Ralph Keppler and 21-year-old Francesca Kiel, both of Lynbrook, are now charged with second degree murder.
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Police say the victim, 56-year-old Theresa Kiel, was brutally attacked and struck in the face with a metal barbell at her apartment in Long Beach in December of 2016. She lost an eye and remained in a vegetative state until she died on Saturday.
"She was hit several times about the head with a barbell, which caused severe injuries to her head and the loss of her right eye," said Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick, Nassau County Police Department.
Prosecutors had alleged the motive to be a business dispute.
Keppler had been charged back in January with attempted murder and assault and was out on bail. His lawyer says he's innocent.
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Information on Francesca Kiel's lawyer wasn't immediately available.