Gabrielle Forman, 30, was killed in her Cohoes apartment hours after returning from a family trip to Georgia.
COHOES, N.Y. — A 30-year-old nurse was fatally shot by her husband in their upstate New York apartment before he killed himself, authorities said, in a murder-suicide that occurred as relatives said the couple was going through a divorce.
Cohoes officials identified the victim as Gabrielle Forman and her husband as Jadet Forman, 37. Police Chief Todd Waldin said autopsy findings confirmed that Jadet Forman shot his wife and then himself on Aug. 18. Investigators said a 9 mm privately assembled firearm without a serial number was used in the shooting. Police are still trying to determine how Jadet Forman obtained the weapon.
The shooting happened at the Lofts at Harmony Mills apartment complex on North Mohawk Street. Police responded around 11 a.m. after receiving multiple reports of gunfire, but officers did not immediately enter the apartment because they did not know whether an armed person, hostages or other people were still inside, authorities said. Police eventually entered the residence that afternoon and found both Formans dead.
Waldin said investigators determined that both had died before the first call to police was received. He defended the time officers took before entering, saying police had to assess an uncertain situation without creating additional danger for anyone who might have been inside. Mayor Bill Keeler also said the evidence showed that an earlier entry would not have changed the outcome.
Gabrielle Forman had recently returned to New York after traveling to Georgia for a family celebration, according to relatives. A cousin told CBS6 that Gabrielle was speaking with her mother by FaceTime when Jadet Forman entered the apartment, took the phone and ended the call. Police said no shots were fired while Gabrielle was on the call. After losing contact with her daughter, Gabrielle’s mother asked Gabrielle’s brother to check on her.
The brother went to the apartment and heard gunfire, according to police and local reporting. Authorities were then called to the complex. The couple had been married for about two years, and a cousin said they were going through a divorce. Keeler said they appeared to be headed toward divorce, though the Times Union reported that officials had not confirmed formal divorce paperwork.
A relative told CBS6 that Jadet Forman had displayed aggressive behavior during the relationship, including throwing things and losing his temper, but said he had not hit Gabrielle. Police said they had no documented history of domestic violence involving the couple and had received no previous calls for service at their apartment. Authorities also said Jadet Forman had no known criminal history.
Investigators said the firearm used in the deaths did not have a serial number. Waldin described it as an illegally possessed privately manufactured firearm assembled from parts. Police had not determined publicly where the parts came from or how Jadet Forman acquired the weapon as of Thursday.
Gabrielle worked as a nurse at a hospital in the Saratoga area and was studying to become a nurse practitioner, according to her family. Her father, Owen Sterling, remembered his daughter as a “beautiful soul” who was smart, loving and caring. He said she was highly regarded by people at her workplace. Her godmother, Angelia Major, also described the family as stunned by the sudden loss.
The deaths have been classified by Cohoes authorities as a murder-suicide, and no other suspect is being sought in connection with the shooting. Police said their remaining investigation includes determining how the firearm was obtained and completing their review of the circumstances surrounding the deaths.