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Murder in North Haven

By Tiffany Razzano

The body of a 100-year-old North Haven woman was found in her home Sunday afternoon - a startling development for residents of the typically quiet village.

Jessie Burke's body, seated in a reclining chair with a gunshot wound to the head, was discovered at 12:45 p.m. by her daughter, Margaret Jean Burke, 76, who owns the Payne Avenue home where the two women lived. Margaret Burke had returned home from shopping and running errands to discover her mother's body.

So far, the case is baffling Jessie Burke's family and Suffolk County police, who have few leads and have yet to name a suspect. There was no evidence of a break-in and nothing appeared to be stolen from the home. Suicide was ruled out as a possibility. Burke's daughter, a former corrections officer who lost in the 1994 North Haven mayoral elections, was questioned, but not arrested. Police haven't commented on whether or not she's considered to be a suspect.

Burke, who turned 100 August 7, has been described as energetic and healthy, preparing her own meals and doing a crossword puzzle every day.

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

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