The Upper East Side mother who was killed in a murder-suicide at the hands of her former mother-in-law last week, according to police, is being remembered as a devoted parent as friends and family raise money to help her children.
Police said Ex-Chicago Probation Officer Kathleen Leigh fatally shot Marisa Galloway at around 9 a.m. on July 26 in front of 519 East 88 St., half a block from Gracie Mansion before turning the gun on herself, leaving locals shocked.
Family members and those close to Galloway launched in recent days a GoFundMe to help support her two young kids. On the website, they described Galloway as a loving mother with unparalleled kindness.
“Marisa Galloway touched everyone she met. Her kindness, generosity, and love were unparalleled. She devoted her whole life to her two beautiful daughters, Lili and Mariel…they were her world,” the fundraiser read. “Marisa’s untimely passing will leave a void in all of our lives. But her memory will live on in her daughters and in all of our hearts.”
According to police, Galloway was murdered amid a messy legal battle over custody of her 4-year-old son. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny reported that Leigh shot the mother in the back and head minutes after Galloway put her one-year-old child in the backseat of her vehicle. The tot was not harmed.
“We have on video Ms. Galloway puts the child in the back seat of the car,” Kenny said. “She is then in the process of putting the stroller in the trunk where she approached by Ms. Leigh, who shoots her in the head, and then when she’s on the ground, shoots her in the back.”
The family has received an outpouring of grief after the shocking slaying.
“So sorry for your loss! Praying for you and your family. Here if you need anything. Love you guys!,” donators Tom and Stacy Gallagher wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“We will miss you,” Devon Martin wrote.
The fundraiser has already reached a whopping $79,119 as of 12:20 p.m. on July 29, close to 80% of the $100,000 goal.
