The daughter of a New York woman fatally shot by her former partner has accused the man of raping her and keeping a disturbing shrine of her personal belongings.
Melissa K. Pelc-Lohr, 50, was found dead at her home in New York state on October 27 after being shot in the head by Norman Lohr Jr, her former partner, shortly after she returned from a trip to Las Vegas for her daughter's 30th birthday. Lohr Jr reportedly fled the scene but was spotted by police while driving. Officers pursued him for around 200 miles before the 50-year-old fatally shot himself.
Daughter's Account of Abuse
In a video posted on Facebook, Melissa's daughter Allison Pelc accused her former stepfather of raping her and creating a shrine from her underwear and other items. She said there had been "years of warning signs that led up to her death."
Pelc stated: "My former stepdad, Norman, also known as Ed, raped me, and for years, I experienced harassment. He was just so obsessed after doing what he did to me; he would not stop. I tried to protect myself using the legal system, and look what happened, my mum is gone."
Pelc also said the shrine, kept in Lohr Jr's wardrobe, contained underwear, "inappropriate items and liquids," and a dirty sanitary napkin. She said the rape occurred in January 2023, prompting her and her mother to file a report at the sheriff's office, according to the New York Post.
Legal Efforts and Aftermath
Pelc said she obtained two orders of protection but felt they were ineffective. "I had to get two [orders of protection] to try and [at] least feel safe. But nothing happens, we just keep letting people get away with things," she said. She also reported an alleged breach to the FBI but received no response.
A GoFundMe page set up to cover funeral costs has raised more than $4,000. The page states the funds aim "to help with travel and funeral expenses between New York and Michigan because she was loved by SO MANY and loved ones can give her the proper burial and the loving goodbye she deserves."
A tribute on the page reads: "On Tuesday, October 27, Mellissa Pelc's life was tragically taken in a senseless act of stalking-related domestic violence. A devastating and unimaginable loss, Mellissa leaves behind two children, Allison Pelc and Freddie Pelc, who are now facing the heartbreaking reality of life without their mother. No child should ever have to experience this kind of loss. During this incredibly difficult time, we are reaching out to friends, family, our community, and even kind strangers to ask for help supporting Allison and Freddie."
