An elderly couple was discovered deceased in their lakeside residence in Canandaigua, New York, with the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office concluding the incident to be a murder-suicide. Canandaigua is located roughly 250 miles northwest of New York City in the Finger Lakes region.
Priscilla Herbik, aged 82, and Christian Herbik, aged 81, were found on Thursday, April 3, 2025, after a delivery driver noticed packages accumulating outside their 5029 Wyffels Road home and alerted the authorities.
“After finding all doors locked and the homeowners’ vehicles parked outside, deputies forced their way into the home and found Priscilla Herbik, 82, and Christian Herbik, 81, both dead from gunshot wounds, with a shotgun near the latter,” Sheriff David Cirencione stated.
The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s autopsy confirmed Priscilla’s death as a homicide and Christian’s as suicide. Investigators found no evidence of a struggle inside the home.
Canandaigua, a city of about 10,460 residents on the northern shore of Canandaigua Lake, rarely sees such violent events. It is approximately 25 miles southeast of Rochester and is known for its wineries, lakeside activities, and historic downtown.
The Herbiks’ home on Wyffels Road is situated on the western shore of Canandaigua Lake near Hope Point, an area noted for upscale lakefront properties and vacation homes.
“The thoughts of our members remain with the family as they navigate this tragic incident and devastating loss,” Cirencione added in an official statement, emphasizing that this was an “isolated incident” with no threat to the broader community.
Investigators believe the deaths occurred several days before discovery, as indicated by the number of packages that had accumulated.
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed potential motives or further details about the situation. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not revealed whether any explanatory notes or contextual evidence were found at the scene.
Public records and local reporting indicate that the couple had owned their property on Wyffels Road for over 15 years. Neighbors described them as private but friendly, though investigators have not released information about their medical history or any potential domestic issues.
Firearms regulations in New York State are among the strictest in the nation. Specific details about the shotgun found at the scene, including ownership and registration status, have not been made public by investigators.
