‘Person of interest’ in homicide investigation pleads guilty to drug charges

Person of interest in Auburn homicide arraigned on 9 drug charges
June 23, 2011

Auburn (WSYR-TV) - The man police call a "Person of Interest" in the Auburn homicide of Katie Socci was arraigned Thursday on nine drug charges. David McNamara, 34, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The 9 charges include four brought against McNamara earlier this week and five new charges that accuse him of selling drugs.

McNamara is Katie Socci's ex-boyfriend and the father of her infant daughter. Socci’s body was found under freshly turned earth near a nature trail in the Dunning Avenue area in Auburn.

Police consider McNamara a “person of interest” – but not a suspect – in Socci's death.

‘Person of interest’ in Socci killing arraigned on new, unrelated charges
June 20

Auburn (WSYR-TV) – A man who is considered a “person of interest” – but not a suspect – in the killing of an Auburn woman was arraigned on new charges that are unrelated to the homicide.

34-year-old David McNamara was arrested for violating his probation the same day that Katie Socci’s body was found under freshly turned earth near a nature trail in the Dunning Avenue area in Auburn. McNamara was on probation on a three-year-old forgery charge.

On Thursday, he was arraigned on three new felony charges: falsifying business records, criminal possession of a forged instrument, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

He remains in Cayuga County Jail on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.

Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelman said that the bail was set high because they believe McNamara could try to run.
 
"Well it’s always a concern when we think there is a risk of flight that they would make the bail,” Budelman said. “If he's got $25,000 cash, or if someone has a house or $5,000 he could be out”

Budelman said that the investigation into Socci’s death is ongoing, but he could not discuss specifics following McNamara’s court appearance.

"It’s ongoing, there is progress being made,” Budelman said. “The police are working around the clock. We have a number of agencies helping the Auburn Police with that, and we're working closely with them."

Socci’s funeral was held on Monday morning at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn. She was buried in St. Joseph’s Mausoleum in the Town of Fleming.

McNamara is Socci's ex-boyfriend and the father of her infant daughter.

Funeral for slain Auburn nurse held today
June 20

Auburn (WSYR-TV) – The funeral for a 29-year-old nurse University Hospital nurse who was killed last week was held on Monday at St. Francis Church in Auburn.

The body of Katie Socci was found on Wednesday, June 15, in the area of a nature trail near Dunning Avenue in Auburn after a day-long search. On Thursday, police determined that Socci’s death was a homicide after a medical examiner’s report revealed that she had been “strangled” and "suffocated.”

Police have identified a person of interest in their investigation: 34-year-old David McNamara, Socci’s former boyfriend and the father of her child. McNamara was taken into custody on an unrelated charge the same day Socci’s body was discovered. McNamara, who has a history of tangles with the law, was scheduled to be arraigned on Monday.

Donation Information:

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions in memory of Katie to a trust fund established for her daughter Sydney:

Katie Socci Memorial Fund F.B.O.,
Sydney Renee c/o Savannah Bank
P.O. Box 7201 Auburn, NY 13021.

Sunday calling hours for murdered Auburn woman
June 19

Auburn (WSYR-TV) Calling hours are scheduled today for the Auburn mother killed last week. Family and friends are invited to calling hours today from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at White Chapel Funeral Home, 197 South St in Auburn.

A Mass of Christian Celebration will be held Monday at 11 AM in St. Francis Church, Auburn. A committal service will follow in St. Joseph's Mausoleum, Fleming.

In the meantime, police still asking for the public's help uncovering information about people or vehicles seen near the nature trail where Katie Socci's body was found. Auburn Police announced Thursday they'd reclassified Katie's death as a homicide.

The Auburn Police Department is specifically seeking information about vehicles or people seen in the area of the Auburn-Fleming Trail area off of Dunning Avenue just South of Clymer Street. Katie's body was found in that area by a search and rescue dog on Wednesday.

Police are requesting that anyone who has used, parked, or walked the trail between Sunday, June 12 and Wednesday, June 15 to call the Auburn Police Department at (315) 253-3231 or Sgt. Divietro at (315) 255-4707. Calls can remain anonymous.

Socci's ex-boyfriend, David McNamara, is considered a person of interest in the case. He is due in court tomorrow on an unrelated charge. McNamara has not been charged with her murder.

Donation Information:

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions in memory of Katie to a trust fund established for her daughter Sydney:
Katie Socci Memorial Fund F.B.O.,
Sydney Renee c/o Savannah Bank
P.O. Box 7201 Auburn, NY 13021.

Family honors Katie's life as police investigate her murder
June 16

Auburn (WSYR-TV) - Just an hour after Auburn Police announced Thursday they'd reclassified Katie Socci's death as a homicide, the woman's family gathered together in mourning at a local church.

A church located just one block from Katie Socci's home was filled with songs and prayers Thursday evening. In the pews of the First Presbyterian Church, the gathered crowd was bonded by the memory of a woman whose life was cut short.

"She just a funny, free-spirited, beautiful, beautiful person," said Cindy Colvin, Katie's aunt. "We're a close family but we didn't know how big our family was."

"You never want something like this to happen and you wish it never did. But at least the positive that comes out of it are that people realize how precious people are and they band together to give each other support and comfort," said Rec. Eileen Winter.

In addition to the prayer service, there's been an overwhelming response on the internet through an "In Memory" page on Facebook. As of 10:30 p.m. Thursday, 3,663 people have become a fan of the page. They're also leaving messages expressing condolences for the family.

The family has also organized a candlelight vigil that will be held Saturday night at the St. Francis Shrine Church in Auburn. The vigil will begin at 8:00 p.m.

“We’ve been blessed and we wish to God that Katie was here but the time we had with her was probably better than most people’s 29 years,” John Socci, Katie's father, said earlier in the day.

Police have ruled Katie's death a homicide and say she was strangled to death, but said that they still have not arrested a suspect in relation to their investigation. Instead, they're calling 34-year-old David McNamara a "Person of Interest" in the case. He is being held at the Cayuga County Jail for violating his probation, which stems from a forgery conviction three years ago.

McNamara was also a nurse, but lost his license four years ago after admitting to stealing narcotics for his personal use.

"We want to do everything by the numbers and make sure we don’t leave any stone unturned...and that's what we've been doing,” Lt. Shawn Butler said earlier in the day. “We have a ton of information. We just have to connect the dots and put it all together and make sure we have a solid case.”

Anyone with information on the case should contact Lt. Shawn Butler at (315) 255-4705 or lead investigators Det. Doug Parker at (315) 255-4726 or Det. Chris McLoughlin at (315) 255-4706.

While police continue investigation, Auburn family reflects on daughter
June 16

Auburn (WSYR-TV) - Police in Auburn are now calling the ex-boyfriend and father of Katie Socci’s young daughter a “person of interest” in her death.

A body matching the description of the 29-year-old woman, who had been reported missing early on the same day, was found late Wednesday afternoon in a remote area of Auburn.

34-year-old David McNamara was taken into custody on an unrelated charge Wednesday evening. He is being held at the Cayuga County Jail for violating his probation, which stems from a forgery conviction three years ago.

Auburn Police investigators say they are taking their time with the case in an effort to make sure they don’t miss anything.

"We want to do everything by the numbers and make sure we don’t leave any stone unturned...and that's what we've been doing,” said Lt. Shawn Butler. “We have a ton of information. We just have to connect the dots and put it all together and make sure we have a solid case.”

While the police continue their work, Socci’s family is taking care of her 18-month-old baby. They are also reflecting on a daughter who was very important to the close knit family.

“We’ve been blessed and we wish to God that Katie was here but the time we had with her was probably better than most people’s 29 years,” John Socci said.

They said their daughter was a popular and well-liked person.

"I'm just happy she got to know a lot of people and a lot of people knew her and she was a good person...she was a really good person. They liked her, she was a lot of fun,” said Tina Socci.

A nurse at Upstate University Hospital, Katie Socci’s parents said that her patients would sometimes praise their daughter.

"Probably the most satisfying thing is going to the compliments we got from people who she took care of, complete strangers would find us because she took care of their dying relative,” said John Socci.

Katie Socci’s parents say their daughter was devoted to the child they are currently taking care of.

“She couldn't wait to come home and be with Sidney. She would just be thrilled to death,” said Tina Socci, Katie Socci’s mother.

They plan on giving Sidney with the same love and devotion Katie Socci provided.

“We're going to make sure we raise Sidney the same way katie would raise her,” said John Socci. "We hope that she's as strong as Katie was. We pray for that, that she's as strong as her mother was."

Katie Socci’s parents said they hope to always make their granddaughter aware of what kind of a woman her mother was.

"I'm just going to go through and make sure we save every video of Katie so she always knows who her mother is,” said Tina Socci.

A silent prayer vigil will be held on Thursday in honor of Katie Socci at the First Presbyterian Church at 112 South St., Auburn, from 7 to 8 p.m. The vigil is open to the public.

Upstate University Hospital released a statement on Thursday saying that Katie Socci was a dedicated nurse and treasured member of their staff.

Auburn Police identify ‘person of interest’ in Katie Socci case
June 16

Auburn (WSYR-TV) – Police have identified an ex-boyfriend as a “person of interest” in the case of a woman’s body discovered buried in a wooded area after 29-year-old Katie Socci went missing early Wednesday morning.

Police took David McNamara, 34, into custody on an unrelated charge on Wednesday evening. He is currently in jail for violating his probation. He was convicted three years ago on a forgery charge.

McNamara is the father of Socci’s infant, who was discovered unattended shortly after midnight.

Although police believe the body they discovered in an area off of Dunning Avenue to be that of Socci, they are still waiting on positive identification.

Police are still calling the case a “death investigation.”

Police question 'person of interest' in Katie Socci case
June 15

Auburn (WSYR-TV) - Police are continuing to question a "person of interest" after they found what's believed to be the body of a missing nurse. The body matches a description of Katie Socci - a 29-year-old woman who went missing overnight - but they are waiting for positive identification.

The person of interest is not being charged in connection with Katie Socci, and is still not considered a suspect. Police do say, however, that he is someone that knew Socci.

Officers began to search for Socci after they were called to her home on Swift Street in Auburn around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday. A concerned neighbor had called police, saying the dog was barking in the yard, all of the lights were out in her house, and Socci was not answering her phone calls.

When police arrived at the home, no one answered the door. Officers entered through an unlocked door and found Socci's one-and-a-half-year-old daughter sleeping in an upstairs bedroom unattended. Socci could not be found. Her vehicle was in the driveway and her keys and cell phone were inside the house, according to police.

They say the body was discovered shortly after a search and rescue worker's dog found a freshly turned mound of dirt near Dunning Avenue. The site is just over one mile from Socci's home.

"It's a nature trail. It is frequented quite often by people. One of our officers is very familiar with that and thought that would quite possibly be a good location for the team to search," said Auburn Police Lieutenant Shawn Butler.

Police say they've collected all the physical evidence they'll need for this case. Now, they say, it's a matter of putting it all together. Once that information is added to the results from the medical examiner, the case is likely to be relabeled a homicide. For now, all police will say is that circumstances are suspicious.

"It takes a toll. The officers that have been here since midnight last night - and some of them are still here - they're holding up very well. This is something that gets you all keyed up and you do it till it's done," said Chief Gary Gianotta.

Earlier, about 25 of Socci's friends were out hanging posters with her picture on it. They were hoping the search would end very differently.

"She's a fantastic mother, she's a wonderful friend and an amazing sister," Meghan Ragucci said.

Socci's child is being cared for by family members.

Police say they will consult with the District Attorney's Office Thursday morning to determine how to proceed based on the evidence they've acquired.

Search for missing Auburn woman called off
June 15

Auburn (WYSR-TV) - Auburn Police have called off the search for Katie Socci, a 29-year-old nurse who went missing “under unknown circumstances” overnight.

Police say they have found a piece of evidence in a remote section of the southwest corner of the Cayuga County City of Auburn and have secured a scene there. They have closed off Dunning Avenue between Clymer and Koon Streets.

Police would not say what kind of evidence was found.

Auburn Police looking for missing woman
June 15

Auburn (WSYR-TV) - The Auburn Police Department is asking for help in locating Katie Socci, a 29-year-old nurse who is missing “under unknown circumstances.”

Officers were called to Socci's home on Swift Street in Auburn around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday after a concerned neighbor called police, saying the woman’s dog was barking in Socci's yard, all of the lights were out in her house, and Socci was not answering her phone calls.

When police arrived at the home, no one answered the door. Officers entered through an unlocked door and found Socci's one-and-a-half-year-old daughter sleeping in an upstairs bedroom unattended. Socci could not be found. Her vehicle was in the driveway and her keys and cell phone were inside the house, according to police.

Although there were no apparent signs of a disturbance, police believe the fact that the child was left unattended is suspicious. They say it is unlike Socci to just disappear.

Socci is a white, approximately 5-foot-4, and weighs about 145 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair and a “tiger lily” tattoo on the left side of her abdomen. She was last seen at 8 p.m. wearing dark blue nursing scrubs and hoop earrings. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and her bangs were parted in the middle.

Anyone with information on the case or the location of Socci should call the Auburn Police Department at (315) 253-3231 or lead investigator Det. Doug Parker at (315) 255-4726 or Det. Chris McLoughlin at (315) 255-4706.