UPDATE (Aug. 4): Second suspect arrested in death of 11-year-old girl

Since we reported this story, which has already gone to print, the State Police reported that a second suspect has been arrested in the murder of Jacelyn D. O’Connor, age 11 of Morris, N.Y. 

On  July 30, State Police responded to a residence located on County Route 33 in the Town of Norwich for a report of an 11-year-old girl in cardiac arrest. Police determined that her death was a homicide.

On Aug. 4, 2017, New York State Police arrested Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding, age 34 of Norwich, N.Y. for Murder 1st Degree.  Rundstrom-Wooding was arraigned before Chenango County Court Judge Frank Revoir and remanded to the Chenango County Jail without bail pending further court proceedings.  

Rundstrom-Wooding’s next scheduled court appearance is in the Chenango County Court, Norwich, N.Y. on Monday, Aug. 7 at 11 a.m.

Original Story 

On Sunday, July 30, 2017, State Police Norwich patrols responded to a residence located at 961 County Route 33, Town of Norwich, N.Y. for a report of an eleven year old girl in cardiac arrest.  

According to police, the responding patrols arrived and determined that the victim, identified as Jacelyn D. O’Connor, age 11, of Morris, N.Y. was deceased. Further investigation determined the decedent was the victim of a homicide.  

On Aug. 1, 2017, the New York State Police arrested James R. Brower, age 36, of 961 County Highway 33, Norwich, N.Y. for Murder 1st Degree.

Following his initial appearance on Thursday, reports revealed that O’Connor died while Brower was raping her, and that the two were related. According to the Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride, Brower killed O’Connor by smothering her as he was raping her.

With the news of this horrific crime sending a community into shock, the school that O’Connor attended, Morris Central, reacted on social media.

On their Facebook page, they posted, “Jacelyn O’ Connor was a bright, spunky loved student at Morris Central School. We are all deeply saddened by this loss. It is a tragedy that is difficult to comprehend for us all. We ask that you respect the privacy of our school community while we cope with the loss of Jacelyn.”

They continued, “Counselors are at the school to help support students and families. Tips for supporting grieving children can also be found on our district website under the parents tab.”

The community will host a candle light vigil at the old main entrance of the school on Monday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. The purpose of this vigil is to celebrate the memory and life of Jacelyn.

The investigation into the murder of Jacelyn D. O’Connor is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New York State Police in Norwich at (607) 334-3296.