Guilderland Police reported that the two people found dead in a Schoolhouse Road home on Friday afternoon was the result of a murder/suicide involving a 27-year-old mother and her 5-year-old daughter.
Caitlin Melville shot her daughter before she killed herself in their home at 169 Schoolhouse Road, according to a statement the Guilderland Police Department released on Saturday afternoon. Police continue to investigate the situation. No motive behind the murder and suicide has been found.
Melville’s daughter was a student at Westmere Elementary School, said police. Marie Wiles, Guilderland Superintendent of Schools, described the community as “stunned,” “saddened” and “grieving.”
“In times like these, our first obligation is to support the health and safety our students, faculty, and staff,” Wiles stated in a press release. “A team of counselors, school psychologists, and social workers will be on hand at Westmere Elementary School in the coming days to provide support to any student, faculty or staff member who might need assistance. Support will also be available throughout the district’s other six school buildings and will remain in place as long as needed.”
It was previously reported that the home was owned and occupied by Uwe M. Donaldson based on Albany County records from last year. Donaldson, however, died previous to Friday night’s incident. The two-story house is located south of Western Avenue and north of the border shared between the towns of Bethlehem and Guilderland.
Guilderland police were reportedly called to 169 Schoolhouse Road at approximately 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Police presence soon escalated and persisted into the evening.
