Local News
CRIME: Motive sought in alleged murder
Investigators say domestic incident may have spurred fatal stabbing
GASPORT — Police say a domestic incident could be the motive for a Christmas morning stabbing that killed a 38-year-old Gasport man.
Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Kristin Neubauer said the homicide at the Hartland Motel, 8464 Ridge Road, is still under investigation.
Randy R. Whitney was fatally stabbed in the chest, allegedly by his girlfriend, Gwendolyn Garcia, 31, at 1:15 a.m.
Garcia was charged with second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Investigators would not say what kind of weapon was used nor how many times the victim was stabbed.
Garcia was arraigned in Hartland Town Court and is being held in police custody without bail. She is due back in court Jan. 10.
Neubauer said Whitney and Garcia had both lived at the motel for about a year, and prior to that, had lived in Lockport and several towns in the Rochester area. The sheriff’s office said the couple had been dating for about five years.
Whitney was pronounced dead at Eastern Niagara Hospital-Lockport shortly after he was transported there Christmas morning by the Tri-Town Ambulance .
Investigators from the sheriff’s office said they met with Whitney’s family, who lives in the Rochester area.
His family told police Whitney was a U.S. Navy veteran.
A funeral will be held Wednesday at the New Comer Funeral Home in Rochester, followed by a memorial service at First Bible Baptist Church in Hilton.
Contact reporter Britney Milazzo at 439-9222, ext. 6251.
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