2 women dead in murder-suicide in Manhattan: police
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — Two women were shot and killed in a murder-suicide in Manhattan Friday morning over an ongoing custody dispute, police said.
The shooting happened near 519 East 88th St. and York Avenue, steps from Gracie Mansion in Yorkville, just before 9 a.m., according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. Authorities found Marisa Galloway, 45, on the street behind a parked Honda Civic and Kathleen Leigh, 65, on the sidewalk. Both had gunshot wounds to the head, police said.
Investigators believe Leigh approached Galloway while she was putting a stroller in the trunk before shooting her in the head and back, Kenny said. Leigh then shot herself in the head.
Galloway was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. Leigh died at the scene, police said.
A 1-year-old child who was in the backseat of the Honda was not injured in the incident, Kenny said.
Authorities believe the women were in an ongoing custody dispute over Galloway’s 4-year-old child, Kenny said. Leigh, a retired probation officer from Chicago, is the child’s grandmother. There have been five domestic incident reports and two complaints, but there were never any arrests, police said.
Two guns were recovered at the scene.
Suicide prevention and mental health resources for those in need
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers support, information, and local resources. You can also click here for additional hotlines within your state.
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
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