The Waterloo and Geneva communities were left mourning the loss of a 40-year-old teacher after a violent day on Friday.
Ashia Chilson-Gray was killed in an apparent homicide at her East River Street home. Her husband, John Gray III, a 38-year-old, was charged with second-degree murder after being taken into custody in Geneva at the Elmcrest Apartments, which is a senior living center on Lewis Street.
New York State Police released their final update to media late-Friday, noting that they were assisting the Waterloo Police Department with an investigation that involved multiple agencies.
Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck first confirmed that investigators from his office were assisting in the Waterloo homicide investigation to Finger Lakes News Radio, before official word had come down from State Police or the Waterloo Police Department. He told them that the investigation in Waterloo could have been connected to a ‘stabbing assault’ that took place in Montezuma.
No further information was available about that investigation in Cayuga County.
However, officials with Geneva City Schools said they would have support staff available for the school community following the tragedy. The 40-year-old Chilson-Gray was a family and consumer sciences teacher at Geneva Middle School. “We would like to express our deepest condolences to her family and friends,” the district said in a statement. “Counselors and mental health professionals are available to provide assistance to students as necessary.”
They offered guidance for members of the community as they navigate the difficulty of this situation. “Please be mindful that children and young adults experience feelings and emotions when hearing about a tragic event, similar to adults. These feelings and emotions are very normal. We ask that you listen to your children, accept their feelings, and offer compassion and guidance. We also suggest that you encourage your children to discuss their feelings with you, or with a counselor or mental health professional,” the District added.
More Coverage
– Waterloo homicide sparks pleas from domestic violence advocates (RochesterFirst.com)
– Community shaken Friday by violent incident (Finger Lakes Times)
– Waterloo murder could have Cayuga County connection (The Auburn Citizen)
– Neighbors react to news that Geneva teacher was killed in Waterloo (News10NBC)
– Waterloo man charged with murder after incident in Seneca County (13WHAM-TV)
Credit: News10NBC
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