Missing NY woman Leah Bellitto, 29, found dead after disappearing in freezing temperatures
Share and Follow

An upstate New York woman was found dead on Tuesday morning — days after she went missing in freezing temperatures.

Leah Bellitto, aged 29, left her residence in Amherst, located about 10 miles from downtown Buffalo, at approximately 9 p.m. last Saturday. She was clad in a black long-sleeve shirt, black pajama pants, and carried a blue flower-pattern backpack, as reported by WKBW.

Her last known location was entering the snow-covered woods behind her house, where temperatures dropped as low as 25 degrees with snow blanketing the ground.

Bellitto’s family reported her missing on Monday, igniting a search throughout the area.

During the search, barefoot prints and handprints were found near a creek and pond in the direction she was believed to be heading.

A civilian volunteer found the 29-year-old’s body in a body of water in East Amherst at 9:55 a.m. on Tuesday, three days after she vanished.

The Amherst Police Department is currently investigating Bellitto’s death.

Law enforcement doesn’t suspect foul play was involved and shared that there doesn’t appear to be any “danger to the public.”

A neighbor who lives near where Bellitto’s body was found called the discovery “devastating.”

Concerned resident Trisha Tower expressed, “It’s been so cold and however it happened, maybe going for a walk and just getting disoriented and just been freezing out here and it’s just incredibly sad,” speaking to WKBW.

A volunteer who helped search for Bellitto’s, Alesha Conte, said “it hits home” when someone in the community goes missing.

“Me and my husband and our kids…we live in Amherst and you know it hits you and it hits home when you see this happening in your community,” Conte shared.

“And everybody needs help there can’t be enough help…with something like this.”

Nearby resident Tom Chiaramonte said he and his son joined the search for the missing 29-year-old after hearing about the disappearance during Sunday’s Super Bowl.

After learning about Bellitto’s death, Chiaramonte couldn’t believe her body was found so close to his home.

“They found her at the creek right up here on Dodge Road…,” he said. “Unfortunate for the family. Very, very sad for the family.”

Nardin Academy, the private catholic girls’ school Bellitto attended for high school and graduated from in 2015, posted on Facebook saying they were “saddened” to hear the news of her death.

“The entire Nardin community prays for and offers its heartfelt condolences to the Bellitto Family, Leah’s friends, and her loved ones. Our thoughts are with them all,” school officials wrote.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Rose Byrne and Conan O'Brien star in buzzy film, 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'

Rose Byrne and Conan O’Brien Feature in Talked-About Film, ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’

It’s a film with a catchy name and a buzzy cast. “If…
National Guard may deploy to Memphis by Friday, police chief says

Memphis Could See National Guard Arrival by Friday, According to Police Chief

MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Memphis Safe Task Force consists of approximately 700 federal…
Loyola University mourns death of Sister Jean, much more than iconic men's basketball team chaplain

Loyola University Grieves the Loss of Sister Jean, a Beloved Figure Beyond Men’s Basketball Team Chaplain

CHICAGO (WLS) — Sister Jean served as the iconic chaplain to the…
Israel-Hamas ceasefire takes effect, IDF begins pulling back in Gaza

Israel-Hamas ceasefire takes effect, IDF begins pulling back in Gaza

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A ceasefire between Israel…
Tennessee explosives plant: Multiple people dead in 'devastating blast' at explosives manufacturer in Tennessee

Fatal Incident at Tennessee Explosives Factory: Several Lives Lost in Tragic Explosion

Multiple people are dead following a “devastating blast” at an explosives manufacturing…
Jacksonville families affected by government shutdown

Impact of Government Shutdown on Jacksonville Families

Bloom Behavioral Solutions owner is trying to figure out how to keep…
What we learned in a first look at looming Nets tank job

Key Takeaways from Our Initial Insight into the Approaching Nets Tanking Strategy

It’s no secret what kind of season Brooklyn is going to have,…
Letitia James slams Trump following bombshell indictment

Letitia James Criticizes Trump After Major Indictment News

Defiant New York Attorney General Letitia James criticized President Donald Trump’s ‘desperate…