Junior high school student and father found dead in New York home, police say

BALDWINSVILLE, NY (WSTM) — The bodies of a high school student and her father were found in a New York home on Friday morning, according to authorities.

The Baldwinsville Police Department said 14-year-old Ava Wood and her 51-year-old father, Christopher Wood, were both dead when officers responded to the house for a status check shortly after 8:30 a.m.

Ava was a ninth-grade student at Durgee Junior High School.

Both Ava and her father died from gunshot wounds, according to police. Authorities said the gunshot wound on her father is believed to be self-inflicted.

Their bodies were found in separate bedrooms upstairs in the home, police said.

Authorities said the status check was requested by a woman for her daughter and her estranged husband.

Upon arrival, the officers conducted a search of the home using house keys the woman provided and discovered the bodies.

Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley announced the Sheriff's Office has now taken over the investigation, adding that their investigation team is interviewing family members and trying to piece together an accurate timeline.

Authorities said Christopher Wood and the girl's mother were still married but were not living together.

Baldwinsville Police Chief Michael Lefancheck said there were two previous incidents involving the mother and father. One was in March 2022, while the other was two days ago.

He said one was a stalking incident and the other was aggravated harassment.

“It’s difficult, to say the least," Lefancheck said. "It’s not an easy scene for either of us to witness. Both the sheriff and I have been in law enforcement for a long time and to have to walk through a scene like that is not an easy thing to do."

Joseph M. DeBarbieri, who is the acting superintendent of the Baldwinsville Central School District, has initiated crisis counseling for students.

The district’s Crisis Response Team is providing support and counseling to students and staff as we share this news. They will continue to provide support and counseling throughout the foreseeable future. It’s important to allow children to talk about their grief experiences and what they need during this tragic time. Counselors urge you to listen to your child’s concerns and questions. After communicating this difficult news to your child, if you feel that they need additional support, our counselors will be available to provide you with resources and strategies. Please call or email your school’s principal," a statement released from the Baldwinsville Central School District said. "We are a close-knit school community and our hearts are broken by this tragedy. Our thoughts are with Ava’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time."

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