LaFayette (WSYR-TV) -- A Phoenix man is behind bars, charged with murdering his sister-in-law and then running off to Pennsylvania.
The victim, Patricia Gryczka’s body was found Monday in a ravine on Webb Road in town of LaFayette. Police say Larry Frank killed her during a family feud that turned into a deadly robbery.
Details of Gryczka’s death quickly unfolded, thanks to witnesses who helped piece together a complicated chain of events.
As deputies carefully removed evidence from the Gryczka's home, Mary Dooley recalled seeing a vehicle in the driveway on Sunday. She says it belonged to Frank.
"She was very good to them. She was very good to her sister and Larry until they reached a point where he wanted money and was harassing her. She told me that,” Dooley said.
Frank told a judge in Geddes Town Court that he is not employed. Detectives say he has a criminal record, but wouldn't discuss the details. In the end, a money trail led police to their suspect, caught in a store parking lot in Pennsylvania, where investigators say he used his sister-in-law's credit card. Frank had a 9mm loaded handgun in the car. Deputies say he confessed to dumping Gryczka's body in the ravine.
"It’s just a sad situation...especially at the holidays. It always seems to happen during the holidays. You know, here it is Thanksgiving and this happens. Not a good Thanksgiving,” said Gryczka’s neighbor Lewis Seeley.
For two days neighbors have watched detectives come and go, a reminder that the woman next door who always waved with a smile, faced a violent death at the age of 53.
"I just feel so bad for her because she certainly didn't deserve it,” Dooley said.
Larry Frank is behind bars in Onondaga County. He's due back in court on Monday. No bail has been set. Frank is charged with second degree murder.
