An elderly couple was discovered dead in their lakeside home in Canandaigua, New York, in what the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office has determined to be a murder-suicide. This small city is situated approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City, within the scenic Finger Lakes region.
Priscilla and Christian Herbik were found on Thursday, April 3, 2025, after a delivery driver noticed several packages accumulating outside their residence on 5029 Wyffels Road and informed the authorities.
“After finding all doors locked and the homeowners’ vehicles parked outside, deputies forced their way into the home and found Priscilla Herbik, 82, and Christian Herbik, 81, both dead from gunshot wounds, with a shotgun near the latter,” Sheriff David Cirencione stated.
The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s autopsy confirmed Priscilla’s death as a homicide and Christian’s as a suicide. Investigators reported that no signs of a struggle were present within the home.
Canandaigua, a city of about 10,480 residents (2023) on the northern shore of Canandaigua Lake, is one of New York’s eleven Finger Lakes. The city is located approximately 25 miles southeast of Rochester and is a popular tourist destination known for its wineries, lakeside activities, and historic downtown.
The Herbiks’ home on Wyffels Road is located on the western shore of Canandaigua Lake near Hope Point, an area known for upscale lakefront properties and vacation homes that appeal to both permanent residents and seasonal visitors.
“The thoughts of our members remain with the family as they navigate this tragic incident and devastating loss,” Cirencione added in an official statement, emphasizing that this was an “isolated incident” with no threat to the broader community.
Investigators believe the deaths occurred several days before being discovered, based on the number of packages that had accumulated.
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed potential motives or further details surrounding the incident. The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities have not revealed whether any explanatory notes or contextual evidence were found at the scene.
According to public records and local reporting, the couple had owned their property for over 15 years. Neighbors described them as private but friendly, though investigators have not released any information about the couple’s medical history or potential domestic issues that might have preceded the incident.
Firearm regulations in New York State are among the strictest in the nation. Details concerning the shotgun found at the scene, including its ownership and registration status, have not been disclosed by investigators.
