East Quogue, New York — A 44-year-old man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder in the brutal death of his longtime friend.
According to Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Jeremy Allen was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing of 43-year-old Christopher Hahn.
Prosecutors said surveillance cameras at Allen’s home captured audio and video of a six-hour ordeal that ended in Hahn’s death.
From Friendship to Fatal Meeting
Allen and Hahn had reportedly been friends since high school but experienced a falling out before meeting on September 27, 2024, to resolve a dispute involving $1,000 tied to a boat deal.
Court testimony revealed the two initially planned to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting but instead went to a brewery. After drinking, they returned to Allen’s home in East Quogue via Uber.
Shortly after midnight, violence erupted.
Surveillance Captured the Attack
Prosecutors said surveillance footage recorded Allen beating Hahn for approximately 18 minutes before dragging him onto a rear deck.
Hahn was described as bruised and semi-conscious as the attack continued. Allen then struck him with a baseball bat before retrieving a plastic bag and placing it over Hahn’s head.
Allen then sat on a lawn chair a few feet from the victim while watching him struggle to breathe for approximately eight minutes, according to prosecutors.
After the suffocation, Allen allegedly retrieved a knife and stabbed Hahn 10 times in the neck.
During the attack, prosecutors said Allen told Hahn:
“Die. It’s not so hard. Just die.”
Authorities stated that as Hahn took his final breaths, Allen was seen standing over him smiling.
Attempted Cleanup and Arrest
The following morning, Allen attempted to clean the scene and covered Hahn’s body with a blanket. He then called a handyman to assist with cleanup.
The handyman reportedly observed blood throughout the home and Hahn’s body on the deck. After persuading Allen to let him leave, the handyman contacted police.
Detectives with the Suffolk County Police Department responded and arrested Allen.
Courtroom Reactions
At sentencing, Hahn’s family and friends addressed the court.
His mother condemned Allen and spoke about her son’s resilience, saying he “always got back on his feet no matter how difficult his journey was.”
Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro read a letter from Hahn’s friend, who described him as someone who “lit up every room he entered.”
Allen apologized in court and claimed he was bipolar, saying, “I can’t figure out what I did.”
A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Officials noted he is the first defendant in Suffolk County in nearly a decade to receive a sentence of life without parole.
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