Authorities in Rockland County Monday indicted Eugene Palmer, 73 of Stony Point, with the murder of his daughter-in-law, Tammy Palmer.
Palmer has not been seen since the day of the Sept. 24 shooting, despite a massive, days-long manhunt in neighboring Harriman State Park that brought out K-9 units and helicopters.
Palmer is facing one count of second-degree murder; if convicted, he would face a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.
"Eugene Palmer allegedly fired two rounds from a shotgun into the chest and arm of the victim, Tammy Palmer... causing her death," Rockland district attorney, Thomas Zugibe, said Monday afternoon.
Eugene Palmer lived across the street from Tammy Palmer, a 36-year-old mother of two. Published reports say Tammy Palmer and her husband were estranged.
Tammy Palmer was found dead behind her home. Eugene Palmer admitted the murder to a relative before fleeing, according to reports.
Zugibe said the indictment will allow authorities to arrest Eugene Palmer if he ever surfaces.
"The victim was a loving mother with a promising future whose life was brutally and senselessly cut short allegedly at the hands of the defendant," he wrote in a press release. "This indictment serves to effectively document and preserve vital testimonial evidence in this case and enables the issuance of an arrest warrant to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the Defendant in the event he is located."
Haverstraw Police Chief Charles Miller classified the shooting as a "deadly confrontation that ended in mindless gunfire."
"Our investigation is ongoing, and my officers will continue an aggressive search for the defendant to make certain he will he held accountable for his crime,” Miller continued.
One in three women are victims of domestic abuse, Zugibe penned, and noted stamping out these crimes is a priority.
"This office will continue to relentlessly pursue cases involving domestic violence in an effort to break the cycle that affects so many families in Rockland County," he said.
