Jamestown Neighbors Fear Homicide Resulted From Domestic Violence

JAMESTOWN, NY (WNY News Now) – Neighbors of a Jamestown woman found deceased fear the homicide is an act of domestic violence turned deadly.

“We are investigating a homicide,” explained Jamestown Police Captain Robert Samuelson.

The death of a mother found unresponsive at a southside Jamestown address is still under investigation.

“I know her children, it’s right in my neighborhood, I have kids that age, I could not imagine feeling so helpless, then to be found deceased by my own children, is a mother’s worst nightmare,” said Merry Williams-Diers, neighbor and founder of WNY Missing and Unidentified.

While officials are tight lipped, we’re told Michael Burham is wanted for questioning in the case.

“We’ve received dozens and dozens of tips,” Samuelson said.

Since then, the 34-year-old’s truck has been recovered.

“We were able to track him based on the information that we had,” continued Samuelson. “We knew that he was here this morning in Jamestown, we knew that he went to the State of Pennsylvania.”

Detectives are also investigating a vehicle fire, set just minutes after the deceased was discovered.

“An incendiary origin basically means it was caused by a device of some sort,” said Samuelson.

While a motive is unclear, neighbors on William Street fear this was domestic violence turned deadly.

“These kids are going to be traumatized for life,” explained Williams-Diers. “Not only are they going to be without a mother, they are going to be without a father, one way or the other, however this ends.”

The Chautauqua County District Attorney says Burham is listed on the department’s Top 10 Most Wanted for first-degree rape and unlawful imprisonment connected to a separate case.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Jamestown Police’s tip line at 716-483-8477.