It’s been a long while since I’ve had the time or headspace to dive into a case, but this one… this one struck a deep chord. As I sat with the details, I knew it was time to breathe life back into The B-Side’s Tea & Mystery.
Welcome back, soul fam, to The B-Side’s Tea & Mystery — where we stir the cauldron of true crime and mysteries left unsolved. Today, we honor the life and tragic death of Yvonne Torch, a 31-year-old stylist, wife, and beloved community member whose life was violently cut short.
Almost 21 years later, there does not seem to be a whole lot of evidence or information on this case, other than some repeated interviews from the husband, recounting his experience from that day and revealing the deep emotional scars left in the wake of Yvonne’s disappearance. This lack of substantial progress is what makes this case something worth talking about, as each retelling underscores not only the mystery that surrounds it but also the profound impact on the families involved. It raises a haunting question that echoes through the years: what really happened to Yvonne that fateful day?
Someone out there must hold the key to this unanswered question. We just have to get the information out there enough times, across different areas and various means of communication, to shine a light on the case and hopefully reach that pivotal person who possesses the knowledge or insight that could finally bring closure to this long-standing enigma. The collective memory and discourse surrounding Yvonne’s story can serve as a catalyst for renewed investigations amidst society’s fading memory of her plight.
Yvonne Torch, a 31-year-old mother of two and owner of the “His and Hers Hair Salon” in Newburgh, New York, was brutally beaten and murdered on June 9, 2004. Despite efforts by local and state police, the case remains unsolved. A cash reward of up to $2,500 is currently offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s), according to New York State Crime Stoppers.
Briefing:
- The Crime: Yvonne Torch was found dead at her salon on SR-9W in Newburgh, New York, on June 9, 2004, at approximately 11:00 am.
- The Investigation: Law enforcement agencies from New York State Police, Town of Newburgh Police Department, and Orange County District Attorney’s Office were involved in the initial investigation.
- The Unsolved Mystery: Despite hundreds of leads being developed and investigated, the murderer was never identified.
- Renewed Efforts: Advancements in science and technology have prompted renewed efforts to solve the case, according to New York State Crime Stoppers.
- Public Awareness: Dateline has covered the case, and the New York State Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information.
- Possible Motive: Some reports suggest the crime may have been a personal attack, with no obvious signs of a struggle or robbery.
- Current Status: The case remains open, and police are actively seeking new information and re-examining evidence.
🕯️ The Case: Yvonne Torch
📍 Orange County, NY
📆 Murdered: June 9th, 2004
🔎 Status: Cold Case
Yvonne Torch was just 31 years old when her life was violently taken inside her salon, His and Hers, located in Balmville, New York. That morning, she arrived to work like any other day. Around 10 a.m., her husband Pierre’s grandmother came in for her usual appointment. But by 11 a.m., the next client walked in and discovered Yvonne’s body on the floor.
At first, it was thought she may have fallen and hit her head. Pierre, her husband, told Dateline that when he got the call from his stepmother — a volunteer firefighter — he rushed to the salon assuming it was one of Yvonne’s elderly clients who had passed away. Instead, he walked into the worst day of his life.
“I was just totally dumbfounded about the whole thing.” – Pierre Torch, Dateline
Days later, the death certificate confirmed what his gut had already begun to fear:
Yvonne had been murdered.
Cause of death: blunt force trauma.
A Life Full of Love & Devotion
Yvonne’s story isn’t just about tragedy — it’s also about a life deeply loved.
“We started dating in 1990,” Pierre told Dateline. “We got married in 1991.”
Pierre was a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Newburgh, NY, and met Yvonne through her father — a fellow firefighter. Their bond grew quickly. After just one date, they became inseparable. He became a stepfather to Yvonne’s daughter Ashley, and in 1993, they welcomed their daughter Tiffany.
“We would just hang by the pool,” Pierre remembered. “Go to the mall.”
He said Yvonne had a gift for doing hair — something he encouraged her to pursue professionally. When salon jobs proved hard to get, Yvonne opened her own shop in 1994. Pierre helped her build it out, painting and finishing the interior himself.
“She was such a great person,” he said. “She was excited to have her own shop.”
In May 2004, just weeks before her death, Yvonne and Pierre had made a joyful decision to leave New York and move to Florida to work at Disney — one of their favorite places.
“We had decided that we were going to pack up everything, sell our house, and move.”
The Day Everything Changed
June 9th, 2004 was sunny and full of normal routines. Pierre made breakfast for Yvonne, like he did every morning. They snuggled, laughed, and then went off to work.
“My last memories are good memories,” he said.
She was killed sometime between 10:40 and 10:55 a.m. — a narrow 15-minute window. The community, heartbroken and confused, showed up in massive numbers for her funeral. The director told Pierre he’d never seen a turnout like it.
Despite intensive questioning early on, Pierre was never considered a serious suspect. According to current lead investigator Matthew Schaffer, he was simply the person who had the most information.
“There were a lot of possibilities,” Schaffer told Dateline. “But we never really narrowed down the list.”
Investigating Across States and Using New Technology
State Police followed numerous leads, some as far as Florida, and sifted through hundreds of tips from the local community, diligently interviewing residents and re-examining past reports to uncover any overlooked details. Advances in DNA technology offered hope, as new methods emerged that could potentially analyze even the smallest traces of evidence, but despite this promising development, no concrete leads have emerged in the case.
The lack of physical evidence or witnesses has made the investigation particularly difficult, creating a frustrating scenario for the detectives involved, who have spent countless hours trying to piece together the puzzle. As the years passed, the case has grown cold, with only the memories of the victims remaining vivid in the minds of their loved ones, further emphasizing the urgency of finding closure and justice.
Where the Case Stands Today
Over two decades later, no suspects have been named. No arrests. Just a family left with aching questions and a community still reeling.
But hope lingers.
“I’ve got a really good feeling about the new team on the case,” Pierre shared with Dateline. “I’m really hoping something’s going to happen soon.”
And so are we.
📞 Do You Know What Happened to Yvonne?
Yvonne was more than a case file. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a friend, and a pillar in her community. Her funeral drew a crowd so large, the director said he had “never seen a turnout like this.” That says everything about the kind of woman she was.
If you know anything, no matter how small, please come forward. After twenty years, Yvonne’s family deserves closure. Her daughters deserve answers. Pierre deserves peace.
🕊️ Contact the New York State Police at (845) 344-5370 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov. 🕊️
Let’s bring Yvonne home to justice. Share this. Talk about it. Don’t let her story fade into silence.
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