A beloved burlesque dancer in upstate New York was found dead in her apartment early Friday and her boyfriend was taken into custody Saturday after he suspiciously fled to Washington state.
Kelly O’May, also known by her stage name Penny Scandall, 31, had not spoken to her family for more than a day and was found at her home in Rochester shortly after midnight following a welfare check.
Rochester police became suspicious of her lover, Robert Norry, 32, who departed the couple’s home at some point last week.
His vehicle was located in Idaho after investigation by the major crimes department and U.S. marshals task force.
He has been charged with second-degree murder in the homicide police initially confirmed was ‘not a random act of violence.’ Further investigation is underway.
O’May was longtime employed as a hostess and show girl at Siren and Stilettos Cabaret in Rochester.
Kelly O’May, also known by stage name Penny Scandall, 31, (seen in a photo on her GoFundme page) was found stabbed to death in her upstate apartment early Friday. She worked as a burlesque dancer at Siren and Stilettos Cabaret in Rochester
O’May’s boyfriend, Robert Norry, was arrested Saturday in Spokane, Washington, where he fled to. The late dancer is seen left in an August 2017 Instagram photo and Norry is seen right in a current mugshot
The burgundy-haired beauty was well-liked by colleagues and those who knew her spoke about her ‘quick wit and charm’. She is seen above in a March 2015 Instagram photo
The pinup girl and model was widely-recognized for her sweet personality, burgundy locks and smile that could light up a room.
The burlesque troupe took to their social media pages over the weekend to share the devastating news.
‘A bright light, extinguished too soon,’ O’May’s Facebook tribute read in part. ‘Cabaret hostess Penny Scandal was a silver tongued princess of the Rochester Burlesque and performing arts community.’
The dance club will host a gathering to celebrate her life July 1, 3pm at the Skylark Lounge. Those hosting have encouraged attendees to donate to her family’s fund.
O’May was found stabbed to death inside her Caroline Street home (shown) shortly after midnight following a welfare check
A candlelight vigil will also be held in her honor Wednesday at 8pm on 224 Caroline Street.
A GoFundMe page created also to raise funds for the family reached $1,535 of its $200 goal as of late Monday night.
‘Her quick wit and charm captured the hearts of everyone who met her. She was an advocate for women’s rights as well as the LGBT community,’ the GoFundMe page read.
O’May posted this photo to her Instagram page in June 2015 during the dance group’s 80’s show
O’May posted this photo to her Instagram page in February with a caption: ‘Had a blast talking smack about the weather at our F*ck the Snow Show at the Bug Jar!’
She shared this photo in July 2016 to promote Siren and Stilettos Cabaret
‘She was all of these things but most importantly she was our friend and our family. We will keep her memory alive in our hearts.
‘May she look down on us with glitter covered wings and may she rest in power.’
Heartbroken friend and colleague to O’May, Erica Bochetto, spoke with local news station WROC-TV about the qualities she admired most about the late dancer.
‘She was selfless and a friend with an ear… she would always listen and never judge you for anything,’ Bochetto said. ‘She would try to give you the shirt off her back.’
The Democrat & Chronicle reports the deadly stabbing marks Rochester’s ‘ninth homicide of 2018 and the fourth homicide in the last two weeks, since the start of June.’
O’May’s friend, Erica Bochetto, (seen in a Facebook photo from February) spoke about the qualities she admired about her