A woman who was shot and killed by her estranged husband at a Penn State satellite campus before he turned the gun on himself had become increasingly afraid for her safety, according to those close to her.
State police Lieutenant Eric Hermick said 49-year-old Lesli Kelly was on break from her shift at the Penn State, Beaver campus cafeteria Wednesday when her ex-husband arrived.
The man, 52-year-old William Kelly, said he was bringing Christmas presents for their children, who are 12, 14 and 18, to the Brodhead Bistro on the campus 30 miles outside of Pittsburgh.
Lesli Kelly (right), 49, was shot and killed by her ex-husband William Kelly, 52, while she was working as a cook at a satellite campus of Pennsylvania State University. He then killed himself
Her fiance and co-worker, John Ward, saw the horrific act via their workplace window. ‘I’m dead inside. She was my life,’ he said
‘I will never forgive the man that murdered her right in front of my eyes,’ John Ward said
Witnesses told police the two had a brief conversation before he pulled out a handgun and fired multiple rounds at her.
Once Lesli fell to the ground, William turned the gun on himself, police said.
There were fewer students on campus at the time because many were leaving for winter break, school officials said.
Lesli’s family says the two were scheduled for a court hearing Thursday on child support payments.
Her father, Donald Stone, said the murderer was an ‘alcoholic’ and that he owned multiple guns
Both Kellys are survived by their three children aged 12, 14 and 18 (pictured)
Friends and family said they believe she was murdered because she and her ex-husband were due in court the following day for a hearing on child support payments
Lesli’s fiance and co-worker told WTAE-TV he saw the shooting from their workplace window.
‘I will never forgive the man that murdered her right in front of my eyes,’ John Ward said.
‘I’m dead inside. She was my life.’
The couple had lived together for three years, and in that time Ward said they filed upwards of 50 complaints against the murderer for harassment.
Lesli worked as a chef at the campus bistro for more than 25 years. The Penn State Beaver’s student newspaper conducted an interview with the woman last year, in which she said she and the students were ‘pretty much family’.
One woman, who said she has known the Kellys for the past 15 years, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Lesli lived in fear for the past few weeks.
While police said they received harassment complaints, Lesli never filed a protection order against her ex-husband. William was convicted of a summary charge of harassment in 2014, according to court records.
Her father, Donald Stone, described her ex-husband as an ‘alcoholic’ who owned multiple guns. A friend of hers said he was a hunter.
Lynn Spencer, a friend of Lesli, told thePittsburgh Tribune-Review the couple had recently completed their divorce proceedings.
‘Lesli just wanted to move on and enjoy her life,’ Spencer said.