CONKLIN — The Broome County Sheriff’s Office has determined that a murder-suicide last week in the Town of Conklin stemmed from an ongoing family dispute about property.
On the morning of Aug. 22, Michael Shuta, 65, of the Town of Conklin, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a family-owned property in Montrose.
After learning of Shuta’s death, his family contacted the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, expressing concern for the welfare of Shuta’s nephew, Matthew Slavetskas, 41, who lived in Conklin.
Family members told deputies they had been unable to reach Slavetskas, and reported that he and his uncle had been involved in a protracted dispute involving property.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 22, deputies responded to a welfare check at Slavetskas’ residence at 4467 Brady Hill Rd., where they found him deceased from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso.
A .17 HMR small-caliber revolver was found at the Conklin scene.
An investigation by Broome County Sheriff’s Office Detectives, assisted by the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Unit, included assessment of home security footage, witness statements and forensic evidence.
Detectives determined that, on the night of Aug. 21 around 10:00 p.m., Shuta was observed on home security footage at Slavetskas’ property, dressed in all black and disabling a security camera.
Officials said Slavetskas returned home between 10:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. and was involved in a physical altercation with Shuta in the backyard.
During the altercation, Slavetskas was shot multiple times by Shuta, then managed to lock himself inside his home, where he died of his injuries.
His cell phone was located in his truck at the rear of the residence.
According to investigators, Shuta left his clothing and the murder weapon at the scene before traveling to Montrose, where he ended his life with a .357 Magnum revolver.
Both firearms used in the incidents were registered to Shuta.
Sheriff Fred Akshar said that an exhaustive investigation was conducted to rule out any involvement from other parties.
