Tragic Murder-Suicide on Upper East Side Leaves Mother and Grandmother Dead

In a devastating incident on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, a mother and grandmother were killed in a child custody dispute on Friday morning, according to the NYPD. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on East 88th Street between York and East End Avenue, just steps away from Gracie Mansion.

According to Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, the NYPD is investigating the scene as a suspected attempted murder-suicide. The tragic event unfolded when 65-year-old Kathleen Leigh, hailing from Chicago, pulled out a 9mm Glock and shot the victim, identified as Galloway, in the head. Leigh then proceeded to shoot Galloway again in the back as she laid in the street near a vehicle. Shortly after, Leigh turned the gun on herself, taking her own life. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Galloway, an experienced runner and former track coach at Fordham University, was rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries. The 1-year-old daughter of Galloway, who is unrelated to the suspect, was fortunately not present during the incident.

The motive behind the murder-suicide appears to be an ongoing custody dispute between Galloway and the child's father. Chief Kenny revealed that a 9mm gun was recovered from the sidewalk near Leigh's body, while another firearm was found in her tote bag.

Galloway, a Fordham alumna, had been dedicating her time to coaching track and field as a volunteer assistant for 17 years until 2019. She also worked as a teacher in Westchester. This tragedy has left the community shocked and mourning the loss of a beloved coach and dedicated mother.

The NYPD is continuing its investigation into this heart-wrenching event, attempting to piece together the series of events that led to this horrific outcome. The local community is rallying together to support Galloway's family during this difficult time.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends affected by this terrible tragedy.