A 54-year-old woman has admitted to her role in murdering a former lover and setting his Long Island home on fire in an attempt to cover it up, the District Attorney’s Office announced.

Long Beach resident Jennifer Gross pleaded guilty on Thursday, March 12 to first-degree manslaughter for her role in a murder in Centre Island in November 2018, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

Singas said that between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2018, Gross went to the home of 75-year-old James Coppola in Centre Island, demanding money. When Coppola refused, Gross attacked him, beating him with an object from the home, repeatedly striking his head and body until he was dead.

When she realized she had killed Coppola, Gross set the house on fire in an attempt to cover the murder, but not before stealing jewelry from her victim.

According to Singas, the two had a romantic relationship that lasted two decades. She was reportedly his mistress, and at the time of the murder, he had an active Order of Protection against her.

“In a fit of uncontrollable rage, this defendant violently beat her partner to death before setting his house on fire to cover up the crime,” Singas said. “Our condolences remain with the Coppola family and friends.”

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