In the quiet Bellevue neighborhood of Schenectady, New York, a tragedy unfolded on the evening of November 2, 2016, ending the life of 39-year-old Desiree Pagan. A loving mother, sister, and daughter, her death left a void in the hearts of those who knew her. The events of that night cut short the life of a woman described as having a heart larger than life itself.
On that Wednesday, shortly before 9:30 p.m., police responded to a report of shots fired at a two-family home on Shannon
Street. Inside, they discovered the bodies of Desiree Pagan and 40-year-old Wayne Goodwin. Both had sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The investigation that followed determined that Goodwin shot Pagan multiple times before turning the weapon on himself in a murder-suicide. While the nature of their relationship was not immediately made public, the violent end to their story sent shockwaves through the community.
Desiree, born on August 1, 1977, was remembered for her love of life and her unwavering devotion to her family and friends. She is survived by her two daughters, as well as numerous sisters and brothers. In the wake of her death, her family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a local domestic violence charity or shelter, a poignant tribute to the circumstances of her passing. A celebration of her life was held on November 7, 2016, where family and friends gathered to mourn the loss of a woman whose vibrant spirit was extinguished far too soon.
