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A Tragic Discovery: Leah Bellitto Found Dead
On a chilly Tuesday morning, the small town of Amherst, New York, was shaken by the tragic discovery of Leah Bellitto, a 29-year-old woman who had gone missing days earlier. Bellitto was last seen on Saturday night, around 9 p.m., walking into the snow-covered woods behind her home. Dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt, black pajama pants, and carrying a blue flower-pattern backpack, she ventured out into temperatures as low as 25 degrees. The harsh winter conditions, with snow covering the ground, only added to the urgency of the search efforts that would soon ensue.
Community Comes Together
Bellitto’s family reported her missing on Monday, sparking a widespread search effort in the area. The Amherst Police Department, along with civilian volunteers, combed through the woods and surrounding areas, leaving no stone unturned. During the search, investigators discovered barefoot prints and handprints near a creek and pond, suggesting that Bellitto had been disoriented and possibly struggled in the freezing conditions. The community rallied around the Bellitto family, with neighbors and friends joining the search, driven by a deep sense of empathy and concern.
A Devastating Discovery
At 9:55 a.m. on Tuesday, a civilian volunteer made the heartbreaking discovery of Bellitto’s body in a body of water in East Amherst, just three days after she vanished. The Amherst Police Department, while investigating her death, has not suspected foul play. They stated that there is no apparent danger to the public, but the tragedy has left the community in a state of shock and mourning. Trisha Tower, a neighbor who lives near where Bellitto’s body was found, described the discovery as "devastating."
Personal Stories of Impact
The impact of Bellitto’s disappearance and subsequent death was deeply felt by those in the community. Alesha Conte, a volunteer who helped in the search, shared how the incident hit close to home. "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 said. "And everybody needs help; there can’t be enough help with something like this." The sense of community and solidarity was evident as people came together to support one another during these difficult times.
Neighbors and Friends Respond
Tom Chiaramonte, a nearby resident, recounted how he and his son joined the search for Bellitto after hearing about her 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," he said. "They found her at the creek right up here on Dodge Road… Unfortunate for the family. Very, very sad for the family." The proximity of the discovery to where many in the community live made the tragedy even more personal and profound.
Community Mourns and Remembers
Nardin Academy, the private Catholic girls’ school where Bellitto graduated in 2015, posted a heartfelt message on their Facebook page. "We are saddened to hear the news of Leah Bellitto’s passing," the school officials wrote. "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." The outpouring of support and remembrance from her alma mater and the broader community underscores the deep connections and shared grief in the wake of this tragic loss.
