Update:

On November 30, 2025, at approximately 7:46 a.m., New York State Police members responded to a personal-injury, single-motor-vehicle accident on State Highway 37 in the town of Waddington. Troopers conducted an initial investigation, which led them to make a notification at the operator’s residence on State Highway 37, also in the town of Waddington.

Upon arrival at the residence, Troopers observed suspicious circumstances. State Police members subsequently located a deceased male inside the home. State Police investigators responded to the scene and executed multiple search warrants for both locations, the crash scene, and the residence.

A preliminary investigation revealed that an altercation had occurred at the residence between two individuals: Yvonne McGrath, age 66, of Lisbon, NY, and Paul N. McGrath, age 70, also of Lisbon, NY. Further investigation determined that Paul attacked Yvonne while she was in bed with a hammer and a knife.  Yvonne was able to flee the residence, enter her vehicle, a silver Buick Enclave, and travel west on State Highway 37, where she was subsequently involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Paramedics arrived at the crash scene, observed the severity of her injuries, and transported her to Canton–Potsdam Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

State Police members located Paul McGrath inside the residence, where evidence indicated an apparent suicide. 

On December 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., autopsies were performed at Glens Falls Hospital by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Sikirica. The autopsy for Yvonne McGrath determined that the cause of death was a large incised wound of the neck with hemorrhage, severe skull fractures, and brain injuries due to sharp force and severe blunt force injuries, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. The autopsy for Paul McGrath determined that the cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging; the manner of death was also ruled a suicide.

 

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On November 30, 2025, at approximately 7:46 a.m., New York State Police members responded to State Route 37 in the town of Waddington for a reported personal-injury, single-motor-vehicle accident.

Upon arrival, Troopers located a silver Buick Enclave off the southern shoulder of the roadway. A preliminary investigation determined that the operator, the sole occupant of the vehicle, had been traveling west on State Route 37 when they lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway, struck a fence, and came to rest. Local fire and rescue personnel were already on scene, providing medical treatment to the unresponsive driver. The operator was transported to Canton–Potsdam Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. The operator was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. Due to the severity of the operator’s injuries, Troop B’s Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to process the scene.

Troopers subsequently responded to the operator’s residence to make notification of the accident. Upon arrival, State Police members located a deceased male inside the residence. As a result, the Troop B Forensic Investigation Unit was requested to process the scene.

Further investigation led State Police Investigators to believe the operator had sustained injuries prior to the collision; however, the operator also sustained injuries consistent with the crash.

This investigation remains ongoing. Authorities believe this to be an isolated incident, and there is no known threat to the community.

An autopsy is scheduled for both individuals on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at Glens Falls Hospital. The examination will be conducted by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Sikirica to determine the cause and manner of death.

The New York State Police were assisted on scene by Lisbon Fire and Rescue, Waddington Fire and Rescue, and the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department. 
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