Melissa K. Pelc-Lohr, a woman remembered for her inclusive and kind-hearted nature, was 50 years old when her life was tragically cut short. A resident of Brushton, New York, Melissa was known for making everyone feel welcome, whether they were a close friend or a complete stranger. Her son, Freddy Pelc, recalled this warmth, stating, "She was one of those people that no matter what, if you're a stranger or if she's someone that, you know, you are included."
She was a mother who created a sense of belonging for all who crossed her path.
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the quiet community of Moira was shaken when New York State Police were called to a residence on South Woods Road. Inside, they discovered Melissa Pelc-Lohr, deceased. Investigators confirmed she had sustained gunshot wounds. The Franklin County coroner ordered an autopsy to be performed at Glens Falls Hospital to officially determine the cause and manner of her death. The news prompted concern in the area, and the Brushton Central School District issued a statement on social media to assure families that school operations could safely continue.
As the investigation at the South Woods Road home began, police identified a vehicle of interest: a red 2009 Chevrolet Silverado. The search for the truck led investigators across the state. At approximately 10:30 that same morning, state troopers located the Silverado nearly 200 miles away in the town of Lyons, in Wayne County. When troopers and Wayne County sheriff’s deputies attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver refused to stop, initiating a pursuit along State Route 14.
The chase came to an end after deputies successfully deployed tire deflation devices, causing the truck to leave the roadway. A standoff ensued. When the driver did not respond to commands to exit the vehicle, the sheriff’s office utilized an armored vehicle to safely approach the Silverado. Once they reached the truck, officers found the driver, identified as Norman E. Lohr Jr., 50, of Michigan, deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. An autopsy for him was scheduled at the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The New York State Police are leading the ongoing investigation, which spans both Franklin and Wayne counties. Detectives have executed search warrants and processed both the home in Moira and the scene of the chase in Lyons. While authorities have not released details about the relationship between Melissa and Norman Lohr Jr., the events suggest a tragic murder-suicide.
The incident left the small, tight-knit community of Brushton-Moira unsettled and searching for answers. A neighbor on South Woods Road, Joseph Benway, expressed his unease, telling reporters, "Well, I keep everything locked big time. I keep my eyes a little bit open, a little bit more." The tragedy was the second to strike the town in a short period. Adam Deuyour, the Moira Deputy Town Supervisor, voiced the community's shock, stating, "It's just sad to have our community highlighted again for the second time in, like, a six-week time period for, for such a senseless tragedy." As of late October 2026, the investigation by the New York State Police remains active as they continue to piece together the circumstances that led to the two deaths.
