Sheriff's deputies in two counties are investigating a movie-script-worthy murder case involving a former Weedsport resident.
Stacey Castor, 40, of Liverpool, is suspected of poisoning two of her husbands and may have attempted to kill her daughter, deputies said. Castor was arrested by Onondaga County Sheriff's deputies and charged with second-degree murder Friday night.
A joint investigation began in 2005 after 48-year-old David Castor died from ethylene glycol poisoning in Liverpool. It may have not been coincidence that Castor's former husband, Michael E. Wallace, 38, formerly of 2763 E. Brutus St., Weedsport, died prematurely on Jan. 11, 2000, of what was initially thought to have been a heart attack.
“Based upon the suspicious circumstances surrounding David Castor's death and our investigation, I believed there was a good and substantial reason to believe that Michael E. Wallace did not die from cardiac arrest,” Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason said in a press release. “Accordingly, I decided to exhume his remains and subject them to scientific tests to determine if he died from ethylene glycol poisoning.”
A medical examiner confirmed traces of the antifreeze compound in Wallace's remains and ruled the death a homicide Sept. 5. The investigation in both counties is ongoing.
“It's a really unique case,” Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould said, likening it to a movie plot.
Further charges are pending in Onondaga County, where deputies are also looking into a poisoning attempt on Castor's daughter, an investigator said.
Castor eventually will be turned over to Cayuga County authorities, who are still building a case. Anyone with information can call the Sheriff's office at 253-1610.
“Detectives wish to interview anyone who may have known Michael Wallace or Stacey Wallace-Castor from the past or present,” Gould said.
They will also follow tips on possible other victims, he said.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
A joint investigation began in 2005 after 48-year-old David Castor died from ethylene glycol poisoning in Liverpool. It may have not been coincidence that Castor's former husband, Michael E. Wallace, 38, formerly of 2763 E. Brutus St., Weedsport, died prematurely on Jan. 11, 2000, of what was initially thought to have been a heart attack.
“Based upon the suspicious circumstances surrounding David Castor's death and our investigation, I believed there was a good and substantial reason to believe that Michael E. Wallace did not die from cardiac arrest,” Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason said in a press release. “Accordingly, I decided to exhume his remains and subject them to scientific tests to determine if he died from ethylene glycol poisoning.”
A medical examiner confirmed traces of the antifreeze compound in Wallace's remains and ruled the death a homicide Sept. 5. The investigation in both counties is ongoing.
“It's a really unique case,” Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould said, likening it to a movie plot.
Further charges are pending in Onondaga County, where deputies are also looking into a poisoning attempt on Castor's daughter, an investigator said.
Castor eventually will be turned over to Cayuga County authorities, who are still building a case. Anyone with information can call the Sheriff's office at 253-1610.
“Detectives wish to interview anyone who may have known Michael Wallace or Stacey Wallace-Castor from the past or present,” Gould said.
They will also follow tips on possible other victims, he said.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net