New York Freelance Violinist Found Murdered in Upstate Home

61 year old New York-based freelance violinist Mary Whitaker has been found murdered, from a gun shot, in her summer home in Westfield, Upstate New York.

Whitaker, a violin performance graduate from Indiana University had worked as a freelance musician in numerous orchestras and Broadway productions in the New York area for more than 3 decades - and had been a member of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and Westchester Philharmonic for more than 25 years.

A motive for the homicide remains under investigation, however police have indicated the wound does not appear to be self-inflicted and that they believe Ms Whitaker may have been targeted.

"We're trying to solve a homicide. They are doing everything they can to make that happen. We have had people out there all night. We will continue until we resolve this," Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace has said

“The Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra community are just devastated by this,” Marty W. Merkley, the orchestra's Vice President has said. “...they’re absolutely shocked that this has happened.”