A grandmother’s tragic murder-suicide on Manhattan’s Upper East Side aimed to secure full custody of her 4-year-old granddaughter for her son, according to new court documents. Kathleen Leigh, a 65-year-old terminally ill former probation officer, shot and killed Marisa Galloway, the child’s mother, before turning the gun on herself. Leigh’s son, Zachariah Reed, has since taken their daughter, Lili, to his Chicago home, cutting off all contact with Galloway’s parents, who are now fighting for custody.
Marisa’s parents, Nancy and John Galloway, are seeking a Manhattan Supreme Court order to transfer Marisa’s parenting rights to them and to force Reed to remain in New York City until Lili turns 18, ensuring her connection to both her maternal grandparents and her half-sister, Mariel. The Galloways currently have custody of Mariel, Marisa’s 1-year-old daughter from a sperm donor.
Nancy’s affidavit describes a close bond with Lili, whom they regularly cared for and with whom they shared numerous special activities. The Galloways fear Lili will lose contact with her maternal family, especially her little sister, if they don’t intervene.
Marisa and Reed had a volatile relationship that ended in 2021, partly due to Leigh’s interference. Despite a custody agreement granting Marisa primary custody, Leigh’s actions shattered the arrangement. Before her crime, Leigh left a seven-page note accusing Marisa of alienating Lili from Reed, despite child services clearing Marisa of any wrongdoing.
Nancy expressed her discomfort with the legal battle but emphasized the necessity to protect Lili’s ties to her mother’s family. The Galloways have repeatedly requested contact with Lili, but Reed has denied all access, including video calls. The grandparents are determined to stay in Marisa’s apartment during visitations with Lili and insist on daily video calls between the sisters.
The Galloways’ lawyer and Reed’s previous attorney did not respond to requests for comment, and Reed could not be reached for comment.
