A family’s worst nightmare came true when a son killed his parents before he died by suicide just weeks after they bailed him out of jail.
Evidence suggests that Justin Sislo committed the murder-suicide in his parents’ home on McCormick Road on the morning of Friday, August 7, in Madison, New York, according to a statement from The Madison County Sheriff’s Office obtained by Us.
Sislo, 35, and his parents, Donna Walker-Sislo and Steve Sislo, were found dead inside the home. Deputies said that all three family members had gunshot wounds, while a firearm was also retrieved from the home.
When deputies reported to the home, they discovered a strong odor of propane or gasoline and gas was heard leaking into the home.
Authorities looked through a window, where they saw two adults who were “obviously deceased.” Sheriff’s deputies then entered the residence and found a third person dead.
Justin reportedly had a history of legal issues prior to the apparent murder-suicide.
On July 2, the Moravia Police Department contacted the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to share that Justin was being investigated for a domestic assault that involved a 56-year-old female romantic partner. He was ultimately arrested for the crime.
Police came to believe that he committed the same crime in Madison County, which led the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to launch an investigation.
Justin’s home was searched on July 29 as part of the investigation, and his firearms and other evidence were seized from the property.
He was then arrested on several charges, including one count of assault, five counts of assault, one count of menacing, three counts of strangulation, one count of promoting a suicide attempt, one count of reckless endangerment, five counts of menacing, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon, one count of criminal obstruction of breathing and two counts of harassment.
Upon his arrest, Justin was then taken to the Madison County Jail, and Walker-Sislo, 72, and Steve, 76, bailed him out by posting a $10,000 bail.
Justin also reportedly had a domestic incident with his father in March 2024, but no charges were pressed against him.
The sheriff’s office said that Justin was not allowed to have firearms at his house due to temporary orders of protection that were in place prior to the apparent murder-suicide.
Police have asked that anyone with information regarding the case call the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at (315) 366-2311.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
