In the summer of 2022, the life of a young man from Oswego County, New York, was brought to a sudden and violent end. Charles 'Chuckie' W. Rothenburg, Jr., a 29-year-old male, was a lifelong resident of the Pulaski and Richland area. He was known to be employed by Rainbow Shores Campsite and Grindstone Farm. However, the circumstances of his final days would prove to be far from the peaceful life suggested by his local roots.
Concerns for Rothenburg's wellbeing arose on June 27, 2022, when the New York State Police in Pulaski received a request for a welfare check. The search for Charles culminated two days later, on June 29th, when his body was discovered inside a residence at 5863 State Route 11 in the Town of Sandy Creek. His death, initially described as unexpected in his obituary, was quickly determined to be a homicide.
The investigation into Rothenburg's death led swiftly to an arrest. Authorities took 62-year-old Alva G. Parsons into custody, charging him with Murder in the 2nd degree, a class 'A' felony. Investigators determined that Rothenburg and his girlfriend had been living in a camping trailer on a property adjacent to Parsons' home. On that Monday, a verbal dispute erupted between Parsons and Rothenburg inside Parsons' residence. The argument escalated tragically, and it was then that Parsons allegedly shot Rothenburg with a pistol. Following the discovery and investigation, Alva Parsons was transported to the Oswego County Jail to await arraignment.
