In a shocking and heartbreaking turn of events, new court documents reveal that Marisa Galloway’s recent murder-suicide by her former mother-in-law, Kathleen Leigh, was part of a twisted plot to secure full custody of Galloway’s 4-year-old daughter, Lili, for Leigh’s son, Zachariah Reed.
The tragic incident occurred last month on a quiet Manhattan street, when Leigh, 65, a terminally ill former Chicago probation officer, fatally shot Galloway, a 45-year-old special education teacher, before turning the gun on himself. The devastating act left Galloway’s parents, Nancy and John Galloway, reeling with grief and worry for their granddaughter’s future.
The New York Post reportedIn response to the tragedy, the Galloways filed an emergency court petition, alleging that Reed took Lili to his “multi-million dollar home” in Chicago under the pretense of “grieving” her mother’s death. According to the petition, Reed cut off all contact between Lili and her maternal grandparents, refusing even to allow video calls.
The court documents allege that “it is clear that (Reed’s) mother had a deliberate plan to kill Marisa in order to gain custody of her child. Unfortunately, (Reed) has demonstrated an absolute intent to further the same goals as his mother, as he has refused to provide us with access to Lili for nearly three weeks.”
The Galloways, who live in Cape May, New Jersey, are now asking a Manhattan Supreme Court judge to grant them the parenting time Marisa was entitled to under a 2022 custody agreement. They are also asking that Reed be required to remain in New York City until Lili turns 18 to ensure she maintains a close relationship with them and her half-sister, Mariel, a 1-year-old daughter Marisa had with a sperm donor. News 12 Westchester reported.
Nancy’s affidavit describes the close bond she and John shared with Lili, describing frequent visits, shared activities such as gardening and teaching. Lili will bake and speak FrenchThe Galloways are concerned that without intervention, Lili will become estranged from her mother’s family and lose connection with her younger sister, Mariel.
Details of the petition Marisa and Reed’s “tumultuous relationship,” citing Leigh’s interference as a significant factor in their split. The custody agreement they reached included a clause that the terms would remain binding on their estates if either parent died.
Nancy expressed her deep discomfort with the need to file the petition, but stressed that it was necessary to protect Lili’s relationship with her family. The Galloways have agreed to remain in Marisa’s East 86th Street apartment during weekday visits and are demanding daily video calls between Lili and Mariel.
The legal battle now playing out in Manhattan seeks to determine what is best for Lili, while her grandparents struggle to maintain their role in her life after a tragedy that has shaken the family to its foundations.
