NORWICH – A Norwich woman missing since Monday has been found dead, and one of her former tenants has been charged with her murder. The body of Tammy L. Periard, 45, was discovered by police early Thursday morning during the execution of a search warrant. Daniel L. Brown, 45, of 56 Henry St., has been arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder, a Class A-1 felony. Police have indicated more people may have been involved, and new arrests may still be made.
“I hope that they’ve found the right person and everyone else involved. I pray that justice is served. No one deserved this, not my sister,” said Periard’s sister, Lisa Fitch.
“I am pleased with the investigation that was conducted. Investigators worked very closely with District Attorney Joseph McBride. At this time I can not speak of any specifics of this crime, because many leads are being investigated, and other people may still be involved,” said Norwich City Police Chief Joseph Angelino.
Family members reported Periard, the manager of several local apartment houses, missing to police on Tuesday afternoon; the last time she was seen alive was 8 a.m. Monday.
Police discovered Periard’s abandoned vehicle at 5 p.m. Tuesday in a parking lot on Rexford Street and reported that there was no reasonable explanation why it would have been there. Police said Periard was well-known locally as the manager of several apartment houses in and around the City of Norwich. None of her managed buildings were near the location where her car was found.
The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, Greene Police Department K-9 unit, New York State Police and other agencies were called in Wednesday to intensify the search. Family members posted “Missing” signs across the city. Police even employed the aid of a New York State Police search helicopter. Several investigators also spent much of the day following leads and questioning many local citizens. Police searches seemed to be intensified in the neighborhoods of Rexford Street, Lee Avenue and Borden Avenue yesterday afternoon.
Brown was charged after a brief but intense investigation. Police reportedly found Periard’s body in his home on Henry Street early Thursday morning, while executing a search warrant signed by County Judge Howard Sullivan.
Police would not say what led them to Brown as a suspect, but would confirm that he was a tenant in an apartment house managed by Periard. Police have refused to release any further information, only saying that Brown did cause the death of Periard.
“I would hope that anyone with further information about this would continue to call us,” Angelino said. Police still maintain a command post at the Norwich Police Station; the telephone number there is 334-1212. “I am very proud of all the law enforcement personnel who worked so diligently. I’m only sorry that it turned out the way it did,” said Angelino.
Brown appeared for his arraignment in Norwich City Court this morning. Judge James Downey briefed Brown on his rights and assigned John Cameron as his public defender. Cameron requested a preliminary hearing, at which the judge will decide if there is enough evidence to force the defendant to stand trial for 2nd degree murder. Probable cause is the legal standard in making this determination. The hearing is scheduled to begin on Monday at 10 a.m.
District Attorney Joseph McBride said Brown was not eligible for bail because of the crime’s Class A felony status and the defense reserved its right to request bail at a later date. Downey passed on a ruling over bail and Brown was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility until Chenango County Court could set an amount.