GREENVILLE, NY - A manhunt in northeastern New York for a suspect accused of murdering his own father before setting the victim's home ablaze
has come to an end, with New York State Police confirming the suspect's capture earlier in August.
On August 6, authorities responded to a home in Greenville at approximately 7:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a house fire. As firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, they discovered the body of a man later identified as 70-year-old Robert Ryan.
Investigators recovered doorbell camera footage from the residence that allegedly showed the victim's 32-year-old son, Thomas Ryan, running from the home around the time authorities believe the fire was set. Investigators suspect the fire was intentionally started in an attempt to conceal the homicide.
A manhunt was launched shortly afterward. Authorities said Thomas Ryan did not live with his father and was known to frequent neighboring Clinton County. New York State Police confirmed Ryan was taken into custody on August 9 but did not release additional details about the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
Stephanie Coiro, the suspect's sister, said her brother has a long history of mental illness and was reportedly not taking his prescribed medication around the time of the incident. She explained that her father had picked him up just hours before the alleged killing.
“He called my dad and said, 'Oh, I'm in Plattsburgh, and I lost my bus ticket.' My dad went and picked him up and brought him back to his house, probably to rest or to beat traffic, and within the span of a few hours this happened,” Coiro said.
Coiro also said her family had repeatedly tried to get her brother the help he needed before the tragedy, but believes laws governing involuntary commitment and forced medication, combined with limited mental health resources, failed both her brother and their family.
“The scope of mental illness is vast, and our systems are failing left and right, and if you're a family that's going through this and you fear this, advocate as loud as you can because your worst fear can come through. I'm living it,” Coiro said.
Comments