Hamptons hotel killer Thomas Gannon confessed to murdering young artist before turning gun on himself
The Pennsylvania man, infatuated with a beautiful young artist, confessed to her murder before killing himself less than 24 hours after the heinous crime, officials say.
Thomas Gannon, 56, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head hours after he killed Sabina Rosas, 33, at the Shou Sugi Ban House, an exclusive $1,200 a night hotel and resort nestled in Watermill in the ritzy town of Southampton, NY.
Suffolk County police would not reveal details of Rosas' killing but said it was 'violent.'
'I confirmed the confession by reading a message the decadent sent to family member immediately prior to his death,' Wayne County Coroner Edward Howell said.
Howell did not disclose the family member that Gannon spoke to before he took his own life, and whether the communication was through a call, text or email.
Daily Mail learned that Sabina had been staying at the property with Thomas Gannon, shown with her and her mentor, above. Gannon fled the scene at 8am on Monday in an Uber, traveling four hours and 220 miles to Pennsylvania
Sabina Rosas pictured with her friend Ryder Itawa, who she met while attending SUNY Purchase. He referred to himself as a 'fiance' and told DailyMail.com that the couple had a longtime proposal
The glass sliding door on the balcony pictured shows shattered glass and a gaping size hole and glass on the floor
Troopers from the Pennsylvania State Patrol were the first to arrive at the scene at Hidden Brook Drive in Berlin Township, approximately 220-miles from New York City, around 8.43pm.
The Wayne County Coroner's Office were dispatched to the gruesome scene around 10pm followed by Coroner Howell and his Deputy Coroner Carol Lienert around 11.10pm.
Howell examined Gannon and pronounced him dead at 11.12pm.
In a statement, the coroner's office said 'the decadent confessed to committed the homicide immediately prior to taking his own life.'
Law enforcement authorities told the Wayne County coroner's office that the deceased was the suspect involved in the October 28 homicide in Suffolk County, New York.
When DailyMail.com arrived at Gannon's cabin hours after his suicide there was a young woman at the property.
She did not disclose her name but identified herself as Justin Gannon's girlfriend, and was told by a family member not to speak.
DailyMail.com observed a second sliding glass sliding door on the balcony that had a gaping hole in it and shattered glass on the floor.
It remains unclear how the glass door was shattered.
Sources said the couple had checked into the posh wellness treat on Sunday night. Rosas was found dead in the room around noon on Monday. A staff member made the shocking discovery.
The body of 33-year-old Sabina Rosas was found in a $1,200-a-night room at the Shou Sugi Ban House in Water Mill
Budding young artist Sabina Rosas, 33, was found dead in a room at the exclusive Shou Subi Ban House in Water Mill on October 28
Suffolk County Police told DailyMail.com that she was a 'victim of violence,' but did not provide further details, including the weapon that was used in her murder.
On Friday when DailyMail.com contacted the Shou Sugi Ban House the person who answered said they were not making any comments about the ordeal.
They said 'we are supporting our staff through this time,' and confirmed they are not taking reservations for the next two weeks.
Gannon was described by some as a 'benefactor' who supported Rosas financially so she was able to pursue her artistic endeavors.
Rosas was the co-founder of the Royo Journal whose mission was to highlight Central Asian art that she was passionate about.
The family said in a post on Instagram on Friday that 'we implore the media to cease the scrutiny surrounding her death. The sensationalism from the tabloids has only added to our pain.'
Liz Phillip, who had taught Rosas when she was a student at SUNY Purchase, and served as her mentor was traumatized when she heard the news of her brilliant young artist.
'This is all too crazy for me,' she said and was urgently trying to contact one of Rosas sisters when she heard the horrific news.
