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<\/a> <\/p>\nThe updated determination clarifies the nature of the violence involved and strengthens the prosecution\u2019s assertion that Richelieu\u2019s death was intentional.<\/p>\n
Richelieu, 37, of Farmington, had been reported missing around 11 p.m. April 17 after family members said they had not heard from him in two days. His brother used a phone tracking app that led authorities to the America\u2019s Best Value Inn along Routes 5 and 20 in the Town of Geneva.<\/p>\n
Deputies responded early Saturday and located Richelieu\u2019s phone on the property, but he was not with it, raising immediate concern and prompting a large-scale search.<\/p>\n
Authorities spent the day canvassing the area with deputies, drones, and a bloodhound. K-9 Schaefer ultimately alerted investigators to Room 118. After knocking and receiving no response, deputies entered the room out of concern for Richelieu\u2019s safety and found him alone inside, deceased.<\/p>\n
Investigators exited the room to obtain a search warrant before re-entering and formally identifying the victim.<\/p>\n
The room was registered to Ware, who was initially named a person of interest. Authorities said they were unable to locate him immediately after the discovery and issued a request for public assistance.<\/p>\n
Additional details revealed Ware had been released from state prison on April 9 and was under parole supervision following a robbery conviction. Sheriff David Cirencione said Ware had been placed at the motel through a temporary housing arrangement tied to parole.<\/p>\n
By Sunday afternoon, Ware was located at a residence in the City of Geneva and taken into custody without incident.<\/p>\n
Following what officials described as an extensive multi-agency investigation involving local police, state police, parole officers, and the district attorney\u2019s office, Ware was charged with second-degree murder. Investigators allege he intentionally caused Richelieu\u2019s death and that a weapon was used.<\/p>\n
Cirencione previously indicated the injuries were not consistent with a physical altercation alone, describing them as traumatic and suggesting the involvement of something beyond direct human contact \u2014 a characterization now supported by the medical examiner\u2019s findings.<\/p>\n
Ware was arraigned Monday in Ontario County Court and entered a not guilty plea. A preliminary hearing is scheduled later this week.<\/p>\n
Officials said Ware had been incarcerated since 2018 prior to his recent release and had limited ties to the area, which may have contributed to his remaining in the region after the incident.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Richelieu\u2019s family described him as someone who brought joy to others and was deeply loved, while calling for justice and seeking support to return his body to Florida.<\/p>\n
Authorities continue to ask anyone with information to come forward as the investigation remains active.<\/p>\n
TUESDAY UPDATE: Double-predicate felon pleads not guilty in Geneva murder investigation<\/p>\n
A man described by authorities as a double-predicate felon pleaded not guilty Monday to a murder charge in Ontario County, as investigators continue to piece together what led to the death of a Farmington man inside a Geneva motel room.<\/p>\n
Emmanuel Richelieu, 37, had been reported missing around 11 p.m. April 17 after family members said they had not heard from him in two days. That report triggered a search that ultimately led investigators to the America\u2019s Best Value Inn along Routes 5 and 20 in the Town of Geneva.<\/p>\n
According to the Ontario County Sheriff\u2019s Office, Richelieu\u2019s brother used a phone tracking app that showed the device at the motel property. Deputies responded early Saturday and located the phone on-site, but Richelieu was not with it, raising immediate concern.<\/p>\n
Authorities launched a coordinated search throughout the day Saturday using deputies, drones, and a bloodhound. K-9 Schaefer eventually alerted investigators to Room 118. After knocking and receiving no response, deputies entered the room out of concern for Richelieu\u2019s safety and discovered him alone inside, deceased.<\/p>\n
Investigators exited the room to secure a search warrant before re-entering and formally identifying the victim as Richelieu.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/missing-geneva-man-found-dead.png\")
Emmanuel Richelieu<\/p>\n
Officials said Richelieu suffered multiple traumatic injuries, prompting investigators to treat the case as a suspicious death from the outset. His body was transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner\u2019s Office, where an autopsy is pending.<\/p>\n
Investigators determined the motel room was registered to Julius Ware IV, 29, who was initially identified as a person of interest. Authorities said they were unable to locate him in the hours following the discovery and asked the public for help.<\/p>\n
Additional details emerged as the investigation unfolded. Officials confirmed Ware had been released from state prison on April 9 and was under parole supervision following a sentence for robbery. Sheriff David Cirencione said Ware had been placed at the motel through parole as part of temporary housing assistance provided to individuals recently released from prison.<\/p>\n
By Sunday afternoon, Ware was located at a residence in the City of Geneva and taken into custody without incident.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776850509_767_WARE-BOOKING-GENEVA-MURDER.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Following what officials described as an \u201cexhaustive investigation\u201d involving the sheriff\u2019s office, Geneva Police Department, New York State Police, parole officers, and the Ontario County District Attorney\u2019s Office, Ware was formally charged with second-degree murder. Investigators allege he intentionally caused Richelieu\u2019s death and that a weapon was involved.<\/p>\n
Cirencione said the injuries sustained were not consistent with a physical altercation alone, describing them as traumatic and indicating the involvement of something beyond direct human contact.<\/p>\n
Ware was arraigned Monday in Ontario County Court, where he entered a not guilty plea and was ordered held without bail at the Ontario County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled later this week.<\/p>\n
Officials noted that Ware had been incarcerated since 2018 prior to his recent release and had limited local connections, which investigators said may have contributed to his inability to leave the area after the incident.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Richelieu\u2019s family remembered him as someone who brought joy to others and was deeply loved by those around him, while calling for justice and seeking support to return his body to Florida.<\/p>\n
Authorities continue to ask anyone with information about the case to contact law enforcement as the investigation remains active.<\/p>\n
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