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Woman claims ‘obsessed’ stepdad made shrine with her underwear, raped her before traveling to NY to kill her mom in murder-suicide
Melissa K. Pelc-Lohr, 50, was found shot dead at her home in Moira, New York, on 27 October. Her former husband, Norman E. Lohr Jr., 50, was identified as a suspect; police say he led troopers on a 200-mile chase before fatally shooting himself. Pelc-Lohr’s daughter, Allison Pelc, has since alleged that Lohr raped and harassed her, and that his actions and alleged violations of protection orders went unaddressed.
Pelc says Lohr kept her underwear and other personal belongings in a shrine, and that surveillance footage showed him going through her possessions and following her. She alleges the rape occurred in January 2023 and that he violated protection orders at least three times; a hearing over alleged violations was scheduled for 28 October, the day after the killings. The article says Pelc-Lohr had recently returned from celebrating her daughter’s 30th birthday and leaves two children; police agencies had not responded to requests for comment.
In short
- Melissa Pelc-Lohr was killed at her New York home.
- Police say her ex-husband died after a 200-mile pursuit.
- Her daughter says earlier abuse allegations and protection orders were not acted on.
Explained simply
Melissa K. Pelc-Lohr was a 50-year-old woman living in Moira, in northern New York state. Her former husband, Norman E. Lohr Jr., was named by police as a suspect in her killing; police say he died after a long car chase.
Pelc-Lohr’s daughter, Allison Pelc, has accused Lohr of rape, harassment and repeatedly breaching protection orders. She says he kept her belongings, including underwear, and that a hearing about alleged breaches was due to take place the day after the killings.
Protection orders are court measures intended to restrict contact or protect someone from another person. The allegations have raised questions about how reports of abuse and alleged breaches were handled, though police agencies had not responded to requests for comment.