Joshua and Whitney Fowler.

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

A New York man confessed to murdering his wife, father, and step-grandmother in a shooting that erupted just as his wife—who had long tried to escape his abuse—called 911 begging for help.

Joshua Fowler, 26, of Cropseyville in Grafton, pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder in Rensselaer County Court on Monday, Nov. 24, court records show.

It followed the June 18 shooting that killed his wife, Whitney Fowler, 27; father Wilson Fowler, 55; and step-grandmother Anita Crandall, 69, as Daily Voice reported.

The massacre began around 6:30 p.m. when Whitney called 911 reporting she was in a fight with her husband, according to the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office. While she was still on the line, dispatchers heard what they believed to be gunshots.

Troopers arrived minutes later and found Whitney dead outside the home. Wilson Fowler and Crandall were found inside. All three had been shot by a rifle, police said.

Troopers encountered Fowler outside the residence holding a long gun, according to New York State Police. He ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon and was hit with a TASER device and arrested.

Investigators believe Fowler may have been attempting to provoke officers into a “suicide by cop,” police said.

The rifle used in the killings had been legally purchased by Fowler’s father, police said.

Prior Domestic Incidents At Home

State Police confirmed they had responded to earlier domestic violence calls at the home dating back to 2018, though no arrests were made. Whitney’s loved ones said those missed opportunities haunt them.

Fowler’s own mother told CBS6 she had warned family members years earlier that he was capable of killing someone.

‘She Had Plans To Get Away From Him’

Friends of Whitney described her as a loving personal care aide, godmother, and domestic violence survivor who had been trying to escape the relationship.

“She had plans to help herself get away from him,” friend Alexa Moak wrote in an emotional Facebook post. “She had money saved up… she had plans.”

Just one month before she was killed, Whitney had shared a post urging other victims to seek help.

“When I went through it, I was alone and nearly died,” she wrote. “Please don’t let them take any more power from you.”

Another loved one, Heather Wallace, wrote that Whitney “never deserved” the pain she endured. “Anyone who ever truly knew you knew the suffering you were in,” she said.

Loved Ones Question System Failures

Family friend Robert Bertram said he believes Whitney tried to document the abuse and keeps asking why more wasn’t done to protect her.

“Why did she have to die?” he told Daily Voice. He said he has reached out to State Police to turn over Whitney’s phone, which he believes may contain “damning” evidence.

He also questioned why New York’s “Red Flag” law didn’t prevent Fowler from accessing weapons. State Police previously confirmed the firearm belonged to victim Wilson Fowler.

He ‘Took Accountability’

Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly said Fowler’s guilty plea finally brings a measure of justice.

“Today, Joshua Fowler took accountability for fatally shooting his wife, father and step-grandmother,” Donnelly said. She praised the “emergency response and investigative efforts” of New York State Police in a case that “has led to securing justice for the families of the victims.”

Fowler remains held without bail at the Rensselaer County jail. He is expected to receive 45 years to life in prison when he’s sentenced in January 2026.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org for confidential support 24/7.