Two Dead in Brushton in Apparent Murder-Suicide

Brushton has recorded three deaths in less than two months after state police found a 50-year-old woman dead inside her home Tuesday with gunshot wounds. New York state troopers identified her as Melissa Pelc-Lohr. Her residence sits at 725 South Woods Road in the village of Brushton, inside the town of Moira.

State police said their investigation produced information that led them to Pelc-Lohr's ex-husband, Norman Lohr, 50, of Michigan. Officers located him in Wayne County, more than 200 miles from Brushton, and attempted a traffic stop. The stop failed and a police chase followed. Troopers blew out his tires, and his vehicle left the road. When officers reached the vehicle, they found Lohr dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

State police said they are still working to determine the causes of death for both Norman Lohr and Melissa Pelc-Lohr. New York state police had closed a section of road in Brushton following the discovery of Pelc-Lohr's body. That scene was clear Wednesday, more than a day after the road was closed.

The village of Brushton sits outside the Adirondacks and has just over 400 residents. Two deaths occurred there in September in what state police described as a murder-suicide. Pelc-Lohr's death is the third recorded in the village in under two months.

Residents who live near 725 South Woods Road described seeing first responders arrive. Julina Gerow, a Brushton resident, said, "Thought it was pretty shocking. It's pretty scary." Josh Gerow, also of Brushton, said, "Pretty scary because it's like my neighbor."

Their mother, Jess Webb, said she did not hear gunshots but watched responders come to the area. "Here was a super surprise because it was right outside my kitchen window, so I mean that was nuts, but other than that, just kinda what is going on and how can we feel safe again," Webb said. Webb said she no longer feels as safe as she did before. "Makes you want to lock your door at night, whereas it wasn't that kind of town before," Webb said.