(WNY News Now) – A 37-year-old Town of Tonawanda man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the May death of his wife inside their Cleveland Drive home.

Nicholas M. Malvaso, 37, of the Town of Tonawanda, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of Murder in the Second Degree, an A-I felony, in Erie County Court.

According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Town of Tonawanda police and paramedics responded to a residence in the 300 block of Cleveland Drive at about 2:45 a.m. on May 16, 2026, following a 911 call.

Officers found Tiffany L. Malvaso, 51, deceased inside the residence. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that she died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck and classified the death as a homicide.

Prosecutors said Malvaso intentionally caused his wife’s death by striking her with a hammer.

Malvaso pleaded guilty to the sole count of the indictment before State Supreme Court Justice Kelly Vacco. He remains held without bail.

He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. Sentencing is scheduled for November 24, 2026, at 11 a.m.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office credited Town of Tonawanda Police Department investigators and officers with their work on the case. Detectives Robert Kubus, Mark Muscoreil, Mark Shell and Joseph Kazmark, along with Officers Justin Okun and Nick Thomas, were involved in the investigation.

Assistant District Attorneys Justin T. Wallens and Frank A. Strano of the Homicide Bureau are prosecuting the case.

People experiencing domestic violence or concerned about someone at risk can contact the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program for support and advocacy. Services are available even when there is no pending criminal case.

For assistance, call 716-858-4630 or visit erie.gov/besafe.