Sheriff makes arrest: Continues investigation

Sep 18, 2012 at 04:06 pm by Observer-Review


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Sheriff makes arrest: Continues investigation

    CAMPBELL—The Steuben County Sheriff’s Department arrested Cory R. Haight, 35, Meads Creek Road, Campbell, in connection with the disappearance and eventual death of Urbana resident Melissa Sherry, Wednesday, Sept. 12.
    Officers found the body of Sherry, 28, Pleasant Valley Road, Urbana, in Campbell on Friday, Aug. 31, after she had been missing for nearly a week. According to the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, Sherry “fled into the woods” from Manning Ridge Road, Campbell, and was last seen Saturday, Aug. 25. Authorities said a missing person’s report was filed the next day. The incident report said Sherry passed away and was found adjacent to a field off Manning Ridge Road, Aug. 31, at 8:30 a.m. Sheriff Joel Ordway said she was located near a wooded area.
    Ordway said Haight was one of the last people to see Sherry alive. The report said Haight was arrested for five counts of criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument (class A misdemeanor). The sheriff’s department said the charges stem from Haight unlawfully possessing the needles when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Oak Hill Road in the town of Bath, Aug. 26.
    Ordway added Haight was “interviewed in (Sherry’s) disappearance and as a result was arrested.” When asked how or if the hypodermic needle charges related to the death, Ordway said “we’re not ready to reveal that now.” However, Ordway mentioned that “on face value, it seems quite obvious” but would not elaborate at this time.
    The sheriff’s department reiterated that as previously stated from the investigation and preliminary autopsy that “no signs of trauma or foul play have been found that would indicate that Sherry died under suspicious circumstances. Sherry’s death is still being listed as accidental in nature with further results pending forensic evidence.”
    When asked what happened the night she disappeared that would cause Sherry to flee, Ordway previously said “we are not ready to release all that. We have a lot of investigation to do.” He added that there was “nothing visible” to explain her death and that he was not aware of any health conditions she might have had.
    Haight was arraigned in the town of Bath Justice Court and remained to Steuben County Jail on $5,000/$10,000 bail. He is scheduled to reappear in court Sept. 26, to answer the charges.
    Sherry was a 2003 graduate of Hammondsport Central School.

 

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