CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) – In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, police provided more information in the investigation of the murder of 100-year-old Gerald Early, a World War II veteran who lived in Corning. 

As WENY News reported, Early was killed on Saturday, June 6. Police say he was found unconscious in his home on West First Street by one of his caretakers. He was airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, where he was pronounced dead.

Tuesday, police said an autopsy determined Early died of blunt-force trauma.

"As a result of the investigation that we started that day, we have arrested Brenda L McKay, 51 years old of Corning and she's been charged with murder in the second degree.  On Monday, June 8th at about 9 am an autopsy was performed at Lords Hospital down in Binghamton and the cause of death was rule to be that of blunt force trauma," says Jeff Spaulding, Chief of Corning Police. 

After a canvass of the neighborhood and interviewing Early's family, 51-year-old Brenda McKay was named as a suspect. She was arrested on the charge of second degree murder and sent to the Steuben County Jail without bail.

Investigators say McKay used to help around Early's home with tasks such as cleaning and writing letters; however, she was not a certified caretaker and did not help with any medical issues. Early had reportedly hired her in May 2019; her employment ended in April over concerns regarding COVID-19. Due to Early's age, Early and his family decided to reduce the number of people Early would be exposed to during the pandemic.

Police say she is not related to Early.

"She wasn't a certified caretaker, she didn't relate or help him with medical type conditions or anything like that."

According to Corning Police Chief Jeff Spaulding, McKay did not have a criminal record before this incident but “was well known by the Corning Police”. Spaulding went on to say that over an approximately 20-year period, police had 20 encounters with her regarding issues with neighbors like verbal confrontations, but nothing criminal.

"There was a great amount of evidence that was collected. Not only did we have a crime scene where Mr. Early's murder occurred at his residence, we also had a separate crime scene, that being Ms.McKay's around the corner at Walnut Street." 

At this time, police believe McKay acted alone, but they couldn't speak on a motive. Spaulding said through the investigation, there was no reason to believe McKay was under the influence of any type of substances. Police did describe McKay as cooperative upon arrest, even saying she assisted with the investigation.

Investigators also say they believe McKay acted alone. Currently, she is scheduled to appear in Corning City Court on July 28.

WENY News will continue following this developing story and provide any updates as they come in.