The daughter of a woman found dead in an upstate New York home has accused her ex-stepfather of rape, making a shrine of her underwear, and repeatedly violating protection orders before killing her mother and then himself.
Melissa K. Pelc-Lohr, 50, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head in her Moira home on Oct. 27, according to New York State Police. Investigators identified her ex-husband, Norman E. Lohr Jr., 50, of Michigan, as the suspect and a 200-mile chase ensued, ending when he fatally shot himself in Lyons, NY.
Pelc-Lohr’s daughter, Allison Pelc, publicly detailed a series of disturbing allegations against Lohr Jr. in a Facebook video. She claims he raped her in January 2023 and then created a shrine in his closet containing her underwear, including a used sanitary napkin, along with other personal items and "inappropriate items and liquids."
Allison Pelc stated that Lohr Jr. became "obsessed" after the alleged rape and would not stop harassing her. She further alleged that he violated protection orders at least three times with no repercussions. Surveillance videos reportedly showed him rummaging through her belongings and following her to her car.
Following the discovery of the shrine and the alleged harassment, Pelc-Lohr reportedly attempted to separate from Lohr Jr. and moved for her safety. Pelc also stated that she and her mother had sought help from a sheriff's office regarding the alleged rape, and that she had contacted the FBI's Detroit office, though she did not receive a response.
A court hearing concerning Lohr Jr.'s past violations of a restraining order was scheduled in Michigan for Oct. 28, the day after the murder-suicide.
Pelc-Lohr is survived by her two children, Allison and Freddie. A GoFundMe fundraiser described the incident as a "senseless act of stalking-related domestic violence."