WYOMING COUNTY, N.Y. — A Warsaw man has been found guilty of murder following a seven-day trial.

According to the Wyoming County District Attorney's Office, Michael H. Bellaire has been found guilty of Murder in the Second Degree, Strangulation in the First Degree and Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree.

The DA's Office says on November 2, 2023, Bellaire strangled and murdered Cheryl Cook, 59, inside her home before stealing her debit card and fleeing to Mexico. Cheryl was found almost a week later after police conducted a welfare check.

The DA's Office says Bellaire was arrested by Mexican police almost a year later and was extradited back to Wyoming County.

"When the Defendant appears for sentencing, we will be recommending that the Defendant be sentenced to the maximum sentence allow

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