On a Wednesday morning in June 2016, the life of 32-year-old Sarisse Respass was tragically cut short in her Bronx apartment. Responding to a 911 call, police discovered the female victim inside her home in the Wakefield section of the borough. Initial reports indicated that she had been shot in the head, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. This violent act shattered the sense of calm in her neighborhood and left behind a grieving family, including her infant child who was found unharmed
in the apartment.
The investigation into her death quickly focused on her boyfriend, Sheldon Salmon, who was also the father of her child. He was arrested the day after Ms. Respass's body was found. Authorities initially charged him with murder and manslaughter. As the case unfolded, more details emerged about the circumstances leading to her death, though with some conflicting information. One account suggested that a heated argument over Salmon's involvement with another woman who had been living with them escalated to violence. Another report cited the motive as an argument over money and a perceived lack of respect. Yet another account from the District Attorney's office stated that Salmon shot her because he believed she was pregnant and intended to move out.
Further investigation also brought to light differing information regarding the exact cause of death. While early reports stated she was shot, later information suggested she died from blunt force trauma to the head, inflicted with an aluminum baseball bat. However, the Bronx District Attorney's Office later confirmed she was fatally shot once in the mouth. In January 2019, Sheldon Salmon pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. He was subsequently sentenced to 16 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision, for the killing of Sarisse Respass.
