Grandmother Kills Former Daughter-in-Law in Shocking Murder-Suicide Near NYC Mayor's Mansion

NYC Tragedy: Murder-Suicide Near Mayor's Mansion

In a shocking turn of events, a retired Chicago woman, Kathleen Leigh (66), shot and killed her grandson's mother, Marisa Galloway (46), in a wealthy New York City neighborhood just steps from Mayor Eric Adams' home, Gracie Mansion. The incident, believed to stem from a bitter custody dispute, occurred on Friday, July 26, 2024, as Galloway was putting her 4-year-old daughter in the backseat of a car.

Surveillance footage captured Leigh approaching Galloway and firing multiple shots, striking her in the head and back. Galloway was a former college track and field coach at Fordham University, a dedicated schoolteacher, and a beloved mother of two.

After killing Galloway, Leigh turned the gun on herself. Police recovered two pistols from the scene: one dropped by Leigh after the murder-suicide, and the other in a tote bag.

Galloway's 1-year-old son was unharmed and found in the backseat of the car, unharmed. He is not related to Leigh.

A History of Disputes

The NYPD confirmed that Galloway had filed five reports and two complaints against Leigh, concerning the custody arrangements for their 4-year-old daughter. However, no arrests were made prior to the tragic incident.

Tragic Loss for Fordham University

Fordham University mourned the loss of their alumna and volunteer track coach. Galloway graduated from Fordham in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in arts, and in 2005, she earned a master's degree in science from the Fordham Graduate School of Education. She was a valuable member of the Fordham Athletics community for many years.

A Shocking Reminder

The murder-suicide serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and custody disputes. While the NYPD investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident, the community mourned the loss of a dedicated teacher, mother, and athlete.