By Michael Chukwuebuka, Reporting
A New York school bus driver who committed suicide in 2019 after he was questioned by investigators over the murder of a 81-year-old woman in 1994 has been identified on Thursday 19, 2023, as her alleged killer.
According to East Greenbush police, a fingerprint match identified Jeremiah Guyette as the 1994 suspect who had a hand in the death of Wilomeana Violet Filkins.
Stonix News recalled that in August 19, 1994, Wilomeana Violet Filkins was found clubbed to death in the living room of her apartment.
During investigations, Guyette, who served in the Air Force in Florida and also drove a bus for elderly people, was interviewed after the gruesome killing, but he was never considered by East Greenbush Police Department, as a person of interest, Detective Sgt. Michael Guadagnino told newsmen.
On October 1st, 2019, New York State Police investigator tried to interview Guyette about the killing, but he became defensive and upset.
Guadagnino also added that Guyette declined to talk to investigators without a lawyer.
“The following morning, Guyette was found dead in the garage of his home in Rosendale, few miles south of East Greenbush.
“An autopsy revealed Guyette took his own life.
“Investigators then resubmitted all the physical evidence from the original case, including a wooden coffee table with an unknown fingerprint, not knowing if anything would match Guyette.
“Three years later, after Covid strained the state crime lab and delayed forensic findings, the fingerprint was determined to match Guyette’s left thumb,” Detective Sgt. Michael Guadagnino said.
Families of the victims have thanked authorities for their relentless efforts in unfolding the death of their relative.
“We’re all very thankful it has been resolved,” Carole Filkins, a niece of the 81-year-old victim said during a news conference on Thursday.
What's your reaction?
