A devastating family tragedy unfolded in a peaceful Brighton neighborhood, leaving a community grappling with the loss of three lives, including a young girl.
According to 13WHAM, Lawrence Mancuso, 53, an assistant dean at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, killed his 11-year-old daughter Anne Mancuso and her grandmother Mary Liccini, 74, before taking his own life in what police described as a domestic violence incident.
The tragic events began to unfold around 11:55 a.m. Friday when officers responded to a call about an unresponsive girl on a front porch on Hollyvale Drive. Anne Mancuso was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital, where she later succumbed to gunshot wounds.
During their investigation, police discovered a bullet hole in a neighboring residence, leading them to the bodies of Lawrence Mancuso and Mary Liccini.
Details Emerge About Family Connections and Professional Background
Lawrence Mancuso had been on leave from his position at Cornell University since October, where he served as an assistant dean of human resources. Police investigations revealed that while Anne lived on Hollyvale Drive, her father resided elsewhere in Brighton. The victim's grandmother, Mary Liccini, was a resident of Avon.
Brighton Police Chief David Catholdi characterized the incident as "a terrible case of domestic violence." The police investigation concluded that Mancuso had killed both his daughter and Liccini before ending his own life, though specific details about the sequence of events remain unclear.
The tragedy has deeply affected multiple communities, from the quiet Brighton neighborhood to the Cornell University campus, where Mancuso's colleagues and students are now processing the shocking news of his actions.
School District Responds With Support Services for Grieving Community
Brighton Central School District Superintendent Kevin McGowan issued a heartfelt statement about Anne, describing her impact on the school community:
There are no words. I write to you with an extremely heavy heart and without the ability to accurately convey our sorrow, our horror, and our empathy in this moment. I can only express our deepest sympathies and our commitment to be there for all of you and each other as a Brighton Family.
The superintendent further detailed Annie's character and the profound loss felt by the community:
Annie was known to her friends and teachers as a kind, sweet, and beautiful person in every way. A thoughtful, caring student and very special friend, Annie was such a gift to her friends, family, and school community. I cannot begin to find a way to say to Annie's mother Sarah and Sarah's father how profoundly sorry we are.
The school district has organized counseling support sessions at Twelve Corners Middle School, scheduling them for Sunday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. to help students, staff, and families cope with their grief.
Tragic Resolution Leaves Community Seeking Answers
A Cornell University assistant dean's violent actions resulted in the deaths of his 11-year-old daughter Anne Mancuso and her 74-year-old grandmother Mary Liccini in Brighton before he took his own life.
The incident, which occurred at residences on Hollyvale Drive, has been classified as a domestic violence case by local law enforcement.
The Brighton Central School District has mobilized support resources for its grieving community while investigators continue to piece together the events that led to this tragic outcome.
