NY attorney general releases report on murder/suicide in Rochester

The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James has released its report on the death of Janet Jordan on March 14 in Rochester.

The AG’s Office of Special Investigation confirmed that off-duty Rochester Police Sgt. Melvin Williams murdered Jordan in her home before killing himself a few hours later.

On March 14, Jordan got home at midnight from her job after working at the Monroe County Public Safety Communication Department.

Security video showed that no one else entered the house until shortly after 2 a.m., when a person turned a surveillance camera mounted at the front door to face the house and used a key to open the door and go inside.

An hour later, the camera footage showed Williams leaving the house. Video also showed Williams walking to his car, parked in a lot behind a nearby pizzeria, and driving away.

Jordan’s husband arrived home at 7:15 a.m. after his work shift ended at the Monroe County Jail. He went into his house and called 911 moments later, reporting he had found his wife dead.

Phone records showed that Williams sent messages to his wife, family members, and a fellow officer indicating that he planned to take his own life between 4 and 5:30 a.m.

Authorities determined that Williams was near a public park. At 9:18 a.m. New York State Police found Williams dead in his car at Veterans Memorial Park in Henrietta.

Evidence suggested he had shot himself in the head with his RPD service weapon.

Williams’ DNA was found on cartridge casings found in Jordan’s house, and Jordan’s DNA was found on the sleeves of the jacket Williams was wearing when police found his body.

A key to Jordan’s house was found in Williams’ pants pocket.

The medical examiner determined that Jordan died of gunshot wounds to the head and deemed the manner of death to be homicide.

The medical examiner determined that Williams died of a single gunshot wound to the head and deemed the manner of death to be suicide.

OSI uncovered no evidence indicating that any other person was involved in the homicide.