Auburn (WSYR-TV) - An Auburn man was arrested early Monday morning and charged with second degree murder.
According to Auburn Police, Ryan Brahney stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death overnight at her residence at 115 Olympia Terrace.
Around 1:16 a.m., police responded to the victim's apartment after a caller told Cayuga County 911 that someone may have been harmed at that location. According to police, the caller was a relative of the suspect.
"The family member was quite concerned with the presence of Mr. Brahney…his demeanor…and he was concerned enough to do the right thing and make that phone call to us," said Auburn Police officer Lt. Shawn Butler.
At 115 Olympia Terrace, police said they found signs that someone had forced their way into the apartment. Inside the apartment, police say that when they located the alleged victim, 29-year-old Bridget Bell, she had sustained numerous stab wounds. Her 3-year-old son was found asleep and unharmed in an upstairs bedroom.
When police went to the VanAnden Street residence, they found Brahney, the father of the victim's 3-year-old son.
Brahney, 39, was charged with murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal contempt. According to police, Brahney violated an order of protection issued by Cayuga County Court on August 17.
According to police, Brahney has a history of domestic violence.
"This is somebody that deserves to be locked up forever," said Assistant District Attorney Christopher Valdina.
"Our department is very familiar with the domestic problems that Mr. Brahney and Ms. Bell have had in the past," said Lt. Shawn Butler with Auburn Police.
In addition, Brahney has a lengthy history of problems with the law. He had only been out of prison for nine months the night of the murder. He also spent 15 years in prison for assault with intent to seriously harm with a weapon. Since 1996, Brahney broke parole four times. In January of 2010 , he was convicted of assault in the third degree. The victim was Bridget Bell.
The slain woman's mother, Colleen Bell, has temporary custody of the 3-year-old boy.
Brahney will return to court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday at 10am.
Police say their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the incident should call the Auburn Police Department at (315) 253-3231 or the lead investigators. Detective Douglas Parker can be reached at (315) 255-4726 and Detective Kyle Platt can be reached at (315) 255-4702.
Auburn (WSYR-TV) - An Auburn man was arrested early Monday morning and charged with murder.
According to Auburn Police, Ryan Brahney stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death overnight at her residence at 115 Olympia Terrace.
Around 1:16 a.m., police responded to the alleged victim’s apartment after a caller told Cayuga County 911 that someone may have been harmed at that location.
At 115 Olympia Terrace, police said they found signs that someone had forced their way into the apartment. Inside the apartment, police say that when they located the alleged victim - 29-year-old Bridget Bell – she had sustained numerous stab wounds. Her 3-year-old son was found asleep and unharmed in an upstairs bedroom.
When police went to the VanAnden Street residence, they found Brahney, the father of the victim’s 3-year-old son.
Brahney, 39, was charged with murder in the second degree, a class A-1 felony; criminal possession of a weapon in third degree, a class D felony; and criminal contempt in the first degree, a class E felony. According to police, Brahney violated an order of protection issued by Cayuga County Court on Aug. 17.
Police say their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the incident should call the Auburn Police Department at (315) 253-3231 or the lead investigators. Detective Douglas Parker can be reached at (315) 255-4726 and Detective Kyle Platt can be reached at (315) 255-4702.
