Man arrested in murder of Northern New York woman

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) - Police have made an arrest in the murder of a Northern New York woman.

Investigators arrested Vincent Abrams, 44, of Champlain, late Thursday night after police say they found the murder weapon.

Plattsburgh Police say Abrams murdered Melissa Myers, 40, of Plattsburgh, who was found stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest.

“I want the local people and the public to understand that they can rest well,” Interim Plattsburgh Police Chief Bud York said Friday.

York called making an arrest in six days a home run and credited the arrest to the 100-200 people from various local, state and federal partners working 24/7.

Police say in those six days, they conducted hundreds of interviews.

“Probably 200 or 300 people we’ve interviewed,” York said.

That work helped lead them to Sailly Avenue, where they spent several hours on Thursday and found what they believe is the murder weapon.

“We found a couple of knives,” York said.

Police say Abrams was in Plattsburgh Friday night partying with up to eight people, including the victim, Melissa Myers.

Myers’ sister called the police at 4 a.m. Saturday after she found her sister dead in her Boynton Avenue apartment.

Police say Abrams stabbed Myers 10-20 times in the chest and neck.

Abrams moved to Champlain last month and previously moved around Plattsburgh with his partner and their children, their latest stay was on Montcalm Ave in Plattsburgh.

The chief says Abrams is known to police.

“He’s been involved in the criminal justice system on a number of occasions,” York said.

The investigation continues and more arrests may be coming.

“He is the only one right now that we have evidence that committed this murder,” York said.

Law enforcement officials are unsure of the role drugs played but say it is connected.

Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said in their interview with Abrams there were references to controlled substance use, but he wouldn’t say what kind of substance. He said the people Abrams was with that night are known “in this community in the narcotics world.”

“There is suspect that drugs were part of the motive,” Wylie said.

Police are still looking for the public to hand over any video or objects found in their yard-- like clothing, weapons or drug paraphernalia-- in the Beekman Street and Boynton Avenue area.

“Just because he was arrested and put in jail, that’s not the end,” York said.

I was able to speak with one of Myers’ friends today who told me they were there that night. They referred to Myers as Missy, that’s how she was known to loved ones, and as you can imagine they were very upset.

They told me Missy was getting her life together, she was sober and drugs were not involved, and she was a good person and did not deserve to die.

They said they have been working with all police agencies giving as much information as they can and believe their help led to this arrest, which they called justice for their dear friend.

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