Niagara Falls Man Pleads Not Guilty to Murdering 79-year-old Woman in Domestic Dispute

William Smith, 64, appeared in Niagara Falls City Court on Tuesday morning where he was formally charged with second-degree murder.

He was remanded to custody without bail and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Friday.

The charges stem from a fatal incident that occurred Monday morning at the Niagara City Lofts apartment complex located at 561 Portage Road.

Officers were dispatched to the building around 10:15am following a 911 call reporting a deceased individual.

When police arrived, they discovered a 79-year-old woman dead inside one of the apartments.

While authorities have not yet released her name, sources familiar with the case have described the situation as domestic in nature.

Detectives from the Niagara Falls Criminal Investigation Division and the Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene and quickly identified Smith as the primary suspect.

He was taken into custody later that same day.

Officials have not disclosed the manner of the woman’s death or any possible motive behind the alleged killing.

An investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with further information can contact the Criminal Investigation Division at (716) 286-4553.

Smith remains in custody.

Further updates are expected following Friday’s court proceedings.

Niagara Falls Man Pleads Not Guilty to Murdering 79-year-old Woman in Domestic Dispute