PADV's Teen Scene

Even with the sound down on my television, I knew something horrible had happened when I saw a beautiful young woman on the screen and moments later her sinister looking boyfriend flashed upon it. I later discovered that this beautiful woman was in fact someone well known, fashion designer Sylvie Cachay. She and her former boyfriend Nick Brooks had just broken up after a 6 month relationship, but during that short time, acquaintances describe their relationship as “turbulent.” Brooks was unemployed, suspected of using drugs, and his father, Oscar winner Joseph Brooks, was previously accused of 82 counts of sexual abuse.

On Wednesday, the night before her death, neighbors report hearing them arguing and him stomping around while yelling “You really hurt me.” A fire even broke out in their room and the two were forced to leave her apartment. On Thursday, they checked in to Soho House, a popular celebrity hotel in Manhattan. At around 3 am, hotel dwellers reported leaking in the ceiling and authorities found Sylvie lying face down in an overflowing bathtub with strangulation marks on her neck, blood shot eyes, bite marks on her hand, and pills thrown around the scene. I am no investigator of course, but the cause of death seems clear.

Yet on the Today show, Brooks’ attorney said some things that ultimately compelled me to write about this sad story. When asked if his client was capable of committing this crime, he replied, “All sorts of things can happen between two loving people in an intimate partner relationship.” Jaw drop number one. Then the reporter asked, “People describe their relationship as turbulent.” The attorney shrugged and said “I don’t know any relationship that isn’t turbulent.” Jaw drop number two. I was shocked that someone could take this so lightly.

My heart goes out to Sylvie and her family and I hope that the criminal justice system sorts through this case with a fine toothed comb. Teens, what indicators and warning signs do you see in this case? As a friend or neighbor of Sylvie, what could you have done if you saw these warning signs?

-- Laura B.