Laurie Margaret Hawthorne, a 62-year-old female, was found deceased in her residence at 184 Campbell Hill Road in Tioga Center, New York, on June 19, 2022. An investigation led by the Tioga County Sheriff's Office revealed that Hawthorne had sustained two gunshot wounds. Authorities determined that her death occurred at some point between June 1 and June 19.
Just days after a public appeal for information, investigators arrested a neighbor in connection with the homicide. On June 23, 2022, 40-year-old John R. Prentice, Jr., who lived at 162-b Campbell Hill Road, was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder. Following his arrest, Prentice was transported to the Tioga County Jail to await arraignment in C.A.P. Court.
Born in Laconia, New Hampshire, Laurie Hawthorne was a graduate of Vestal High School. She had worked for years as a seamstress for Eureka Tent and was also employed by IBM. At the time of her passing, she was working as a home health aide for Homestead Senior Care. She was remembered for her love of being in nature and spending time with her pets. The investigation into her death was a collaborative effort involving the New York State Police Troop C Major Crimes, the New York State Police Forensic Identification Unit, the Tioga County District Attorney's Office, and the Tioga County Coroner's Office.
