An elderly couple was discovered deceased in their lakeside residence in Canandaigua, New York, in what the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office has classified as a murder-suicide. This small city is located about 250 miles northwest of New York City in the Finger Lakes region.
Priscilla Herbik, 82, and Christian Herbik, 81, were found on Thursday, April 3, 2025, following a report from a delivery driver who noticed an accumulation of packages at their 5029 Wyffels Road address and informed 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.
An autopsy by the Monroe County Medical Examiner verified that Priscilla’s death was a homicide, whereas Christian’s was ruled a suicide. There were no signs of a struggle found inside the residence.
Canandaigua, a city with around 10,460 residents on the northern shore of Canandaigua Lake, one of New York’s eleven Finger Lakes, rarely witnesses such violent events. It is approximately 25 miles southeast of Rochester and is known for its tourism, featuring wineries, lakeside activities, and a historic downtown.
The Herbiks’ home on Wyffels Road is situated on the western shore of Canandaigua Lake near Hope Point, an area known for upscale lakefront properties that attract both permanent residents and seasonal visitors.
“The thoughts of our members remain with the family as they navigate this tragic incident and devastating loss,” Cirencione added in a statement, noting that this was an “isolated incident” with no risk to the wider community.
Authorities believe the deaths occurred several days before they were discovered, as suggested by the number of packages accumulating at the property.
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office has not provided details on possible motives or additional circumstances related to the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains undisclosed whether any notes or other contextual evidence were found on the scene.
Public records and local reporting state that the couple had owned their property on Wyffels Road for over 15 years. Neighbors described them as private but amiable, although investigators have not disclosed information regarding their medical history or any domestic issues that may have preceded the event.
New York State has some of the strictest firearms regulations in the country. Details about the shotgun found at the scene, including ownership and registration status, have not been released by investigators.
