The intersection of Broad Street and Lakeview Avenue in Tupper Lake is seen here Thursday afternoon, blocked off by caution tape and police vehicles as law enforcement investigated a homicide there. (Company Photo — Aaron Cerbone)
TUPPER LAKE – A Tupper Lake woman was arrested Thursday and charged with her mother’s murder.
Alexa J. Gallagher, 26, of Tupper Lake, was charged with second-degree murder with intent, a felony, for allegedly killing Melissa A. Guiswhite, 51, of Tupper Lake, state police of New York said Friday.
Gallagher was arraigned Thursday in Tupper Lake Town Court and booked into the Franklin County Jail, where she is being held without bond, according to state police.
State Police Public Information Officer Beau Duffy said state police cannot yet confirm the cause of death.
An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday, according to Duffy.
Tupper Lake Village Police and State Police responded to a home at 50 Lakeview Ave. around 1 p.m. Thursday, where state police say they found Guiswhite dead.
Nicole Logie lives next door to the house where police were walking and investigating Thursday. He was shocked by the violence that took place just a step away.
“In this day and age, you have to be aware. But I think sometimes we still have that mentality of ‘it won’t happen here.’ Logie said. “It’s crazy to live in a small town. so close He is literally my next door neighbor. I would never have imagined murdering someone in this city, let alone next to it.”
State and local police, as well as Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies, were on the scene Thursday afternoon. State Police investigators were seen knocking on doors and taking statements from witnesses. Lakeview Avenue was closed that afternoon, blocked off by state and village police cruisers and caution tape. A portion of Broad Street was also closed while police investigated the homicide.
Tupper Lake Police Chief Eric Proulx said Thursday that he could not yet release information about the crime.
State police are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Troop B at 518-873-2750.
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This is breaking news and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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