Murder Victim Found 8 Years After Vanishing From Monticello: Support Pours In For Funeral Murder Victim Found 8 Years After Vanishing From Monticello: Support Pours In For Funeral
Murder Victim Found 8 Years After Vanishing From Monticello: Support Pours In For Funeral Loved ones are raising money to give a proper farewell to a Hudson Valley woman whose long-unsolved disappearance has turned into a murder case. The outpouring of support has come to the family of Sullivan County resident Shaniece Harris, who went missing in 2017 at the age of 31. For eight years, her loved ones lived without answers until federal prosecutors announced earlier this year that she was the victim of a homicide.  In June, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced that Dwayne Johnson, 46, of Monticello, was charged in connection with Harris’s …
Union EMT Thrown From Motorcycle, Run Over By Tractor-Trailer On I-287, Friends Say Union EMT Thrown From Motorcycle, Run Over By Tractor-Trailer On I-287, Friends Say
Union EMT Thrown From Motorcycle, Run Over By Tractor-Trailer On I-287, Friends Say Kemit Cotto, a veteran Emergency Medical Technician from New Jersey, is fighting through a long recovery after being severely injured in a motorcycle crash on Interstate 287, friends said. The crash happened on Monday, Sept. 8, when a car stopped short in front of Cotto on I-287, according to a GoFundMe launched by Robert Cintron. Cotto braked to avoid hitting the car, was thrown from his motorcycle into the side of a tractor-trailer, and was then run over by the truck, the campaign says. Records show Cotto is from Union. He suffered a clavicle fracture, chest hematoma, open tibial fractur…
Scotch Plains Dad Dies In Crash, $150K Raised For Widow, Children Scotch Plains Dad Dies In Crash, $150K Raised For Widow, Children
Scotch Plains Dad Dies In Crash, $150K Raised For Widow, Children Brian Benson, of Scotch Plains, died in a car crash on Wednesday, Sept. 17, according to his obituary from Memorial Funeral Home. He was 46 years old.  Born in New York and raised in Mountain Lakes, Brian was a Rutgers graduate who built a two-decade career in medical device sales with Bausch and Lomb, Johnson & Johnson, and most recently RxSight, his obituary says.  “Brian was a valued member of the RxSight team, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in medical device sales and a deep commitment to his work,” a GoFundMe created by colleague Heather Spiri reads. Brian was de…
NJ Little League Coach Dies Week After Cancer Diagnosis NJ Little League Coach Dies Week After Cancer Diagnosis
NJ Little League Coach Dies Week After Cancer Diagnosis A New Jersey community is mourning the loss of a father, coach, and mentor who died just days after a sudden cancer diagnosis. Christopher (Chris) Woolis, 47, of Elmwood Park, was diagnosed with cancer on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and passed away only seven days later, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, according to Elmwood Park Little League President Steven Kochlick. “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of our dear friend and Vice President of Elmwood Park Little League, Chris Woolis,” Kochlick wrote in a statement to the community. “Chris served on the Board for …
Ballston Spa Man Killed In Bar Crash Will Save Lives Through Organ Donation: 'He Is Pure Light' Ballston Spa Man Killed In Bar Crash Will Save Lives Through Organ Donation: 'He Is Pure Light'
Ballston Spa Man Killed In Bar Crash Will Save Lives Through Organ Donation: 'He Is Pure Light' A Ballston Spa man who has been in a coma since being struck by a car outside a Saratoga County tavern is expected to be taken off life support in the coming days, as loved ones rally to honor his life and legacy. Joshua “Josh” Soden, 30, was hit by a vehicle outside Bentley’s Tavern in Malta on Monday, Sept. 8, according to a GoFundMe organized by family friend Brianna Falvey. Soden was pinned beneath the car and rushed to Albany Medical Center, where he suffered two cardiac arrests and has remained unconscious on life support. GoFundMe/Brianna Falvey The driver, identified by Saratoga…
Hit-And-Run Leaves Montauk Cyclist In ICU; Family Launches Fundraiser Hit-And-Run Leaves Montauk Cyclist In ICU; Family Launches Fundraiser
Hit-And-Run Leaves Montauk Cyclist In ICU; Family Launches Fundraiser A Long Island man known for his kindness and passion for cycling is fighting to recover after a hit-and-run crash left him critically injured. Kyle Briand, of Montauk, was riding his bike on the night of Sunday, Aug. 10, when he was struck by a driver who fled the scene, his sister Amanda Corwin wrote on a GoFundMe page. The cyclist was rushed by ambulance to Amagansett, where he was met by a medevac and flown to Stony Brook Hospital’s Trauma Center. He remains in the Intensive Care Unit. Briand sustained a severe head injury, a broken arm, fractured orbital bone, concussion, stitches abov…
‘Shimmering And Sparkling’: Partner Devastated After Danny Malay-Miller's Death In Maryland ‘Shimmering And Sparkling’: Partner Devastated After Danny Malay-Miller's Death In Maryland
‘Shimmering And Sparkling’: Partner Devastated After Danny Malay-Miller's Death In Maryland The house is too quiet now. That’s how Glenn Malay-Miller described life after the sudden death of his husband and best friend, Danny Malay-Miller, who passed away on Sunday, Sept. 14. The loss has left Glenn — and an entire circle of friends, family, and community — shattered and searching for ways to navigate the days ahead. “Danny, I love you so very much from infinity and beyond,” Glenn wrote in a heartbreaking tribute. “You will forever be in my heart and I hope you rest easy and are with mom and brother Mike and Ophelia and Barnabas.  "I miss you soo (sic) much. Have a good rest my …
‘My Rock And Protector’: Maryland Dad Joshua Freeman Dies Suddenly Days Before 44th Birthday ‘My Rock And Protector’: Maryland Dad Joshua Freeman Dies Suddenly Days Before 44th Birthday
‘My Rock And Protector’: Maryland Dad Joshua Freeman Dies Suddenly Days Before 44th Birthday A family in Maryland is grieving after a beloved father and corrections officer died unexpectedly, days before his 44th birthday. Joshua David Freeman passed away on Saturday, Sept. 13, as the community rallies support for his fiancée and family while they prepare for his funeral. Freeman was a graduate of Crisfield High School before heading to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. At the time of his death, he was serving as a correctional officer for Worcester County. According to his obituary, Freeman, "enjoyed playing pool, darts and cornhole and was an award-winning soccer pl…
'Kind Heart, Big Smile': Hartford Mourns Murdered Dad, Family Turns To Community For Support 'Kind Heart, Big Smile': Hartford Mourns Murdered Dad, Family Turns To Community For Support
'Kind Heart, Big Smile': Hartford Mourns Murdered Dad, Family Turns To Community For Support A 38-year-old Connecticut father was shot and killed last week, and now the community is rallying around his family. Miguel Alfinez, of Hartford, was found fatally shot in the 300 block of Broadview Terrace shortly before 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. Paramedics rushed him to a nearby hospital, but doctors could not save him, police said. Xavier Soto, 34, has been charged with murder and several other crimes, according to Hartford police. Related: Vernon Man Accused In Hartford Killing Alfinez's sister created a GoFundMe campaign to help his family as they prepare to say goodbye. Miguel was a…
‘Always & Forever’: Woodbridge Wife Pens Heartbreaking Tribute To Late Air Force Vet ‘Always & Forever’: Woodbridge Wife Pens Heartbreaking Tribute To Late Air Force Vet
‘Always & Forever’: Woodbridge Wife Pens Heartbreaking Tribute To Late Air Force Vet He survived serving as a firefighter in Kuwait with the United States Air Force — but Jesse Allen Sullivan, a Virginia native, died unexpectedly at 48, leaving behind a devastated family and a community rallying to honor his life. The Prince William County native and Woodbridge High School graduate died on Sunday, Sept. 7, according to his family, who described him as a "loyal friend with a vibrant personality that would light up any room." When he returned from Kuwait, Sullivan went on to become a fixture as an elevator mechanic with Otis for more than two decades as a member of IUEC …
Funeral Director, Past Fire Commissioner From Verplank Dies At 53: Leaves Behind 3 Kids Funeral Director, Past Fire Commissioner From Verplank Dies At 53: Leaves Behind 3 Kids
Funeral Director, Past Fire Commissioner From Verplank Dies At 53: Leaves Behind 3 Kids A Northern Westchester community is mourning a devoted father, firefighter, Navy veteran, and funeral director who died at the age of 53.  Shawn O’Mara of Verplanck died on Saturday, Sept. 13, according to his obituary.  Born in Peekskill in 1971, O’Mara dedicated his life to service in many forms. He joined the Navy after high school in 1991 and served as a medic during Desert Storm before being honorably discharged in 1994.  Back home, he trained at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service and became a licensed funeral director, eventually run…
From Hospital To Home: Loudoun Deputy’s 18-Month Road To Recovery Begins From Hospital To Home: Loudoun Deputy’s 18-Month Road To Recovery Begins
From Hospital To Home: Loudoun Deputy’s 18-Month Road To Recovery Begins Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputy Louis Custodio is back home with his family after a life-altering motorcycle crash while he was on patrol, the agency says. At approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, Custodio was on the job when he struck another motorcycle head-on between Hyatt Lane and Morrisonville Road, sending both riders to the hospital with critical injuries. According to loved ones, Custodio was left with "devastating injuries" that will require at least 15 surgeries and a recovery time of at least 18 months, leaving him out of work. Louis Custodio GoFundMe On Friday, …