Mary Whitaker (Image from Westchester Philharmonic)
WESTFIELD – The name of the victim in the homicide that took place in the Town of Westfield has been identified. Sheriff Joseph A. Gerace Thursday afternoon announced today the name of the victim of as 61-year-old Mary E. Whitaker of 8448 Titus Road in that town and also of New York City. Gerace also said the Whitaker was identified following an autopsy, where the cause of death was ruled a homicide by an apparent gunshot wound.
Chautauqua County sheriff deputies began their investigation on Wednesday following the discovery of the body of Whitaker at 8448 Titus Rd. Police were called to the scene after a report came in of an assault victim at the residence who was possibly deceased. According to the newspaper report, Gerace had said Whitaker was the sole victim and others in the area were not in danger, although he would not go into any detail about a possible suspect or motive.
Whitaker was reportedly a long-time member of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, where she played violin. She stayed at the Titus Rd. home during the summer season.
Titus Road is located just north of the village of Sherman and a section of it is located in the town of Sherman. However, according to the news report, the scene of the crime was on the section of the road that lies in the town of Westfield.
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