Tragic Murder-Suicide Linked to Custody Battle Rocks NYC Community

Marisa Galloway, a runner and devoted mom, was murdered and now her parents are desperately wanting her daughters together again

Marisa Galloway, a beloved 45-year-old special education teacher and avid runner from New York City's Upper East Side, was known for her kindness, generosity, and devotion to her young daughters. Her life was tragically cut short in July when she was shot and killed in a murder-suicide, leaving her family and friends devastated.

On July 26, Marisa had just placed her daughter into a parked white Honda Civic on East 88th Street when Kathleen Leigh, the 65-year-old mother of Marisa's ex-boyfriend, Zachariah Reed, shot her. Leigh, a former Chicago probation officer with terminal cancer, then turned the gun on herself. The shocking act, believed to be part of a plot to secure full custody of Marisa’s four-year-old daughter, Lili, for her son, has now sparked a bitter legal battle.

Marisa Galloway was known to her friends, family and fellow run club members for her kindness, generosity, encouragement – and her unwavering devotion to her daughters

In a lawsuit filed this week by Marisa's parents, Nancy and John Galloway, the grieving grandparents allege that Reed fled to Chicago with Lili, cutting off all communication between Lili and her maternal grandparents. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, accuses Reed of continuing his mother’s alleged scheme to gain custody, preventing the grandparents from seeing their granddaughter.

The Galloways, who have custody of Marisa's one-year-old daughter, Mariel, have asked the court to grant them Marisa's parenting time with Lili, as previously outlined in a 2022 custody agreement. They also request that Reed be required to live in New York City until Lili turns 18, allowing them to maintain a close relationship with their granddaughter.

Nancy and John Galloway, pictured with their granddaughters, have filed a lawsuit to obtain Marisa’s parenting time

The court has scheduled an in-person hearing for September 5, where Reed is ordered to appear. The grandparents' emergency filing details the deep bond they share with Lili and the devastation they’ve felt since being cut off from her.

The ongoing custody battle between Marisa and Reed dates back to 2021, with multiple incidents reported to the police involving arguments over visitation rights. The tragic death of Marisa has left her loved ones struggling to cope.

Marisa Galloway, her parents and her daughters visit Radio City Music Hall

Marisa’s cousin, Marc Bellanger, paid tribute to her on Facebook, calling her the "most compassionate, caring, and selfless person" he had ever known. He described her as a "hero" and said that her memory will live on through her daughters. A GoFundMe page created by Bellanger to support Marisa's parents has raised over $120,000.

The Central Park Track Club, where Marisa was a long-time member, honored her with a race dedicated to her memory. The club described her as a "wonderful mother, a dedicated runner, and a great friend." Fellow runner Alysia Dusseau recalled Marisa's legendary generosity and how she always offered support and encouragement to others.

Central Park Track Club, where Marisa was a long time member and advisory board member, honored her last month with a race dedicated to her memory

Sean Duncan, a lifelong friend of Marisa’s, ran a half marathon in her honor on August 11. In a heartfelt post on Facebook, Duncan expressed his gratitude for Marisa's friendship and her impact on his life, saying, "You deserved so much better. Your friends and family deserved to have you in our lives. Most importantly, your babies deserved to have you as their mother for many, many, many years."

The loss of Marisa Galloway has left a void in the lives of all who knew her, but her legacy of kindness, love, and dedication to her daughters will endure.