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Names of Tupper Lake murder victim, suspect released

The intersection of Broad Street and Lakeview Avenue in Tupper Lake is seen here on July 28, 2022, blocked off by caution tape and police vehicles as law enforcement investigated a homicide. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

TUPPER LAKE — A Tupper Lake woman was arrested Thursday and charged with her mother’s murder.

Alexa J. Gallagher, 26, of Tupper Lake, was charged with second-degree murder with intent, a felony, for allegedly killing Melissa A. Guiswhite, 51, of Tupper Lake, New York State Police said Friday.

Gallagher was arraigned in Tupper Lake Town Court on Thursday and remanded to Franklin County Jail, where she is being held without bail, according to State Police.

State Police Public Information Officer Beau Duffy said State Police can’t confirm a cause of death yet.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Saturday, according to Duffy.

Tupper Lake village police and State Police responded to a home at 50 Lakeview Ave. at around 1 p.m. Thursday, where State Police say they found Guiswhite deceased.

Nicole Logie lives next door to the house where police were walking around and investigating Thursday. She was shocked by the violence that took place one yard away.

“In this day and age, you do have to be aware. But I think that we still sometimes have that mentality of ‘it’s not going to happen here,'” Logie said. “It’s crazy living in a small town. So close. It’s literally my next-door neighbor. I never would have imagined somebody being murdered in this town, let alone next door.”

Village and State Police, as well as Franklin County sheriff’s deputies, were on the scene Thursday afternoon. State Police investigators were seen knocking on doors, gathering witness statements. Lakeview Avenue was closed that afternoon, blocked off by state and village police cruisers and caution tape. A portion of Broad Street was also closed as police investigated the homicide.

Tupper Lake Police Chief Eric Proulx said Thursday that he could not release information on the crime yet.

State Police are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Troop B at 518-873-2750.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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