In a tragic incident from Upstate New York, a woman stands accused of murdering her sister and attempting to conceal the crime. Jamie Busch faces charges of second-degree murder and evidence tampering following the death of her sister, Penny Busch, aged 62.

The events unfolded in October 2024, when Jamie, then 53, allegedly killed Penny during a confrontation at Penny’s residence on Ontario Street, situated just outside the quaint village of Honeoye Falls. According to a criminal complaint reported by local NBC affiliate WHEC, the sisters engaged in a “physical altercation” after 4:49 p.m. on October 8, which tragically ended with Penny being strangled by her sister.

In the early hours following the incident, Jamie Busch reportedly attempted to erase evidence. She allegedly disposed of three of Penny’s cellphones in a trash bin at a Dunkin’ Donuts located in the village. As the days passed, she is said to have moved Penny’s body from the scene and discarded it in the Genesee River.

The authorities became involved when the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was called to conduct a welfare check at Penny’s home. On October 11, 2024, deputies visited her expansive eight-acre property. Upon their arrival, they found circumstances suspicious enough to warrant a comprehensive search. This search involved the use of K-9 units, drones, and other resources, as they sought to uncover the truth behind Penny’s unsettling disappearance.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was asked to do a welfare check on Penny Busch’s home, and on Oct. 11, 2024, deputies responded to her eight-acre residence. As they investigated, they “believed her disappearance was suspicious,” and a search, complete with K-9s, drones, and more, commenced.

Three days later, investigators “developed information focusing the search to an area of the Genesee River in the Town of Rush,” the sheriff’s office said. A body was found, and it was later identified as Penny Busch.

Jamie Busch was arrested for the alleged murder after “investigators established significant evidence and probable cause.” It is not yet clear what evidence authorities are leaning on or what motive they believe led to the alleged killing.

“The motive is something we’re going to keep close to our chest until the district attorney is ready to release that information, but she was murdered,” Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter said at the time.

Jamie Busch, who was a paraprofessional at Honeoye Falls Middle School, was deemed competent to stand trial, WHEC reported. That trial is set to begin on Feb. 3, 2026.

Honeoye Falls is located in Upstate New York, about 18 miles south of Rochester.