Marco Islander to Plead ‘Not Guilty’ in Cat Cruelty Case

A Marco Island couple accused of animal cruelty involving their care of nearly 100 cats faces dozens of charges ranging from code enforcement violations to felonies. One of them filed a written plea of not guilty in Collier County Court recently. 

In early June, Collier County Animal Control was part of rescuing 57 living cats in varying degrees of medical need and as many as 20 additional cats dead in a freezer from the Marco Island home of Olga Murphy, 63, and Igor Mursalimov, 54. Additional cats were hidden at an East Naples property, and the couple attempted to retain nine kittens despite all the charges. Many of the cats were Maine Coon cats, which often sell for thousands of dollars each. 

Following their arrests, Murphy did not willingly give up custody of all the animals. The couple had a pending kitten custody case disposed on July 21, and Murphy filed a written plea of not guilty to felony charges in late July as well. Murphy had requested a public defender, stating she had only $500 and no income, but since secured a private attorney, documents reveal. The felony charge could lead to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Cats with missing and injured eyes who went without veterinarian care were among the most disturbing to investigators. 

Despite the condition of the cats and home, as well as dozens of charges each, the couple maintained that pending request for custody of nine kittens until close to the last day before the hearing in Collier County Court.  

Assistant County Attorney Ronald Tomasko advised Judge Tamara Nicola in Collier County Court on July 21 that the couple finally chose to voluntarily surrender the kittens to Collier County Domestic Animal Services, where they were being cared for since the arrests and seizures.  

“Consequently, a full hearing regarding the owners' fitness became moot,” Tomasko said to this reporter in an email.  

It surprised many Marco Island residents to learn of the extent of the couple’s reported animal hoarding and abuse at the couple’s Piedmont Court home, they said. The couple was relatively well known on Marco Island, and Murphy was a cleaning lady for many people, said City Councilor Deb Henry in a recent public meeting after the arrests. The couple lived on Marco Island for more than 20 years, she said.  

Henry was shocked.  

“I got nauseated by this story,” said Henry.  

Henry outlined the descriptions also revealed in court documents of urine, feces, vomit, lack of water, crowded cats - and perhaps most shocking of all - the dead cats in the freezer in the living room.  

Henry said last she knew, the couple had maybe four or five cats – not 50 or 100.  

“It’s absolutely disgusting what occurred there,” Henry said.  

Had it not been for neighbors and Murphy’s friend, who goes by Olga McQueen, also of Marco Island, the abuse and neglect may have continued. Attempts by this reporter to reach McQueen were not yet successful. Despite the home reaching such a state that the wretched odor led to demolition orders this July, it was unfortunate that so much time had to pass before a rescue could be organized, Henry noted. In December 2024, problems were reported with the couple and their cats, including the sale of sick cats to a Hillsborough County resident, according to court documents. It is not clear why it took several months to get the evidence and warrant needed to rescue the living cats and kittens. Collier County would not provide any additional data or comment, including requests from this reporter on how to potentially prevent such animal abuse or hoarding cases in the future, said Collier County spokesperson Deborah Curry.  

Murphy was a hobby breeder of Maine Coon cats, and her breeding license was since suspended. Collier County is in the process of reviewing their hobby breeding ordinance to create stricter policies.  

On February 11, Collier County Code Enforcement received a complaint of hoarding at 1740 Piedmont Court. Marco Island officials were not involved in the animal abuse case, they said. But they did assist on the day of the arrests. And had other code issues. 

By March, Murphy admitted to Collier County Code Enforcement Animal Control Officer Cara Frank to having about 100 cats, according to court documents. Murphy was preventing inspection upon county officials appearance at the residence, records reveal. 

Collier County Sheriff’s Office searched the couple’s property on June 11, following obtaining a warrant on June 9.  

Collier County has since approved demolition orders of the couple’s rental home, owned by Cape Trafalgar II LLC, on Piedmont Court. The home is owned by the investment company, which is co-owned by Tim Conatser, formerly of Marco Island and now of Pine Island.  

Conatser’s company faced code enforcement fines after being deemed a nuisance property, including failure to properly maintain the pool on Piedmont Court. That Marco Island code case was disposed without hearing on Tuesday, July 29.  

Since the demolition order was in place, there would be nothing out of compliance and the case would be disposed, advised Capt. Dave Ennis, who has served as a communications official for the combined police and code enforcement department of Marco Island.  

Murphy’s charges of aggravated animal cruelty involving excessive pain and death is to be heard by a trial jury. The judge for the felony case is Joseph Foster. Murphy is to be defended by attorney Gregory Mangone. Laura Marie Farrell (no relation to this reporter) is the state attorney in the cases.  

Murphy and Mursalimov face at least 25 additional charges each of keeping an animal in an enclosure without appropriate exercise and air flow. Murphy’s next arrangement is scheduled 8:30 AM on August 6 with Judge Deborah J. Cunningham for these charges. Mursalimov will face the same number of misdemeanor charges with Judge Rob Crown and his attorney Scott Martin Roth, also on August 6.  

Mursalimov also faces the felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty with excessive pain and/or death. That arraignment is yet to be scheduled. Court records reveal an inventory of firearms including an AK-63 Hungarian military assault rifle and at least eight other guns in good or new condition that had to be given over to the Sheriff’s Office prior to his release from jail. 

Records indicate that McQueen was aware of Murphy hiding cats at 100 Barefoot Williams Road, an RV park in East Naples. Court documents reveal additional cats there were matted, missing fur or showing signs of respiratory illness. Most of the rescued cats have since been adopted through shelters. The status of the kittens at DAS was not revealed by county officials as of July 29. 

Though the code violations on Marco Island have been disposed involving the Marco Island property owned by Cape Trafalgar II LLC, that homeowner is also named in code violations involving Collier County Code Enforcement regarding the cat hoarding home. Cape Trafalgar II LLC has owned several Marco Island properties facing code violations over the years— but none have garnered as much attention as the animal cruelty case.  

If you suspect animal abuse, neglect or cruelty, contact Collier County Sheriff’s Office, 239-252-9300.