A Geneva man has been charged with murder following an investigation into the death of a missing Farmington man whose body was found inside a local motel room over the weekend.
According to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old Emmanuel Richelieu was reported missing by family members on the evening of April 17 after they had not been able to contact him for two days.
Using cell phone tracking technology, investigators located Richelieu’s phone at the America’s Best Value Inn on State Routes 5 and 20 in the Town of Geneva. Authorities said Richelieu was not with the phone at the time.
Deputies, along with multiple assisting agencies, conducted an extensive search of the motel and surrounding property throughout Saturday. During the search, a Sheriff’s K9 alerted to Room 118. After attempts to make contact inside were unsuccessful, deputies entered the room out of concern for Richelieu’s welfare.
Richelieu was found dead inside the room.
Authorities said his body showed multiple traumatic injuries. He was transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy, which is still pending.
Following the investigation, authorities identified the occupant of Room 118 as 29-year-old Julius Ware the Fourth. Investigators allege Ware intentionally caused Richelieu’s death.
Ware was located at a residence in the City of Geneva on Sunday afternoon and taken into custody without incident. He has been charged with second-degree murder.
Ware was arraigned in Ontario County CAP Court and remanded to the Ontario County Jail without bail pending further court proceedings in the Town of Geneva. Monday afternoon, Ontario County Sheriff David Cirrencione stated Ware was granted parole supervision on April 9th after serving 8 years in prison for robbery. He was placed at America’s Best Value Inn by state parole.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office.
