A Decade of Help Ends in Tragedy: Albany Woman Killed After Asking Long-Term Guest to Leave

ALBANY, N.Y. — A domestic murder-suicide in Albany this week has left a family grieving and a community grappling with the hidden dangers that can fester behind closed doors. Patricia Kelley, 65, was killed in her Myrtle Avenue home on Tuesday afternoon by Patrick Burke Jr., 60, a man she had allowed to live with her for nearly a decade, police said.

According to authorities, officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of Myrtle Avenue just after 3 p.m. on January 27 following reports of a shooting. Inside, they found Kelley and Burke with gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. A firearm was recovered nearby.

Investigators believe Burke fatally shot Kelley before taking his own life. In a statement, the Albany Police Department classified the incident as a domestic murder-suicide and stated there was no ongoing threat to the public.

The tragedy unfolded after Kelley asked Burke to move out, as she had family members planning to move in, her son Brian Kelley told local media. "He was just a man she was trying to help who didn’t have a place to go," Brian Kelley said. "Her big heart is what cost her everything she had." He described his mother as "the heart of the family," a kind and determined woman fiercely devoted to her loved ones.

The case underscores the complex and often perilous dynamics of long-term cohabitation outside traditional family structures, where financial dependency, mental health issues, and a sense of entitlement can create volatile situations. Experts note that requests for a resident to leave can be a major trigger for violence, as it represents a catastrophic loss of stability for the individual being displaced.

Community Voices:

• Marcus Chen, Social Worker: "This is a devastating outcome of a situation we see too often. Well-intentioned people open their homes, but without clear boundaries or support systems, a sense of ownership can develop in the guest. We need better community resources for both housing and conflict mediation."
• Rebecca Vance, Neighbor: "Patty was the sweetest person. She’d give you the shirt off her back. It’s just horrifying that her generosity was met with such brutality. It makes you question everything."
• David Miller, Local Blogger (sharply critical): "Where were the red flags over TEN YEARS? This wasn't a sudden breakdown; it was a pressure cooker. This ‘isolated incident’ narrative from police is a cop-out. It ignores a pattern of systemic failures to intervene in unstable living situations before they explode."
• Susan Park, Domestic Violence Advocate: "While not a classic intimate partner violence case, this shares the same hallmarks: control, isolation, and ultimate lethality when the victim attempts to regain autonomy. Our helplines are for anyone feeling unsafe in their home, regardless of the relationship."

A GoFundMe organized by the Kelley family describes her as a fighter and an amazing mother who "deserved so many more years than she was given." The Albany Police Department's investigation remains ongoing.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or feels unsafe in their living situation, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Support is available 24/7.