Man charged for killing wife
By: Meghan Backus
Updated: September 25, 2007
A Newark woman was allegedly strangled by her estranged husband. Police say Greg Bessey, 23, called 9-1-1 Sunday night and told the dispatcher he strangled his wife, 20-year-old Sarah Bessey. When police got to the home on Mobile Drive in Martin's Trailer Park, they found her body. They also found the couple's 2-year-old daughter unharmed.
Police and some neighbors say Sarah Bessey became nervous about her safety prior to the attack.
"Sarah used to talk to me a lot about stuff that was going on," Heather Boughton, who lives next door to the Bessey's home. "She had left a couple times. She had left and started bringing her daughter Natalie over to see her father."
It was during one of those visits last night when the Williamson High School graduate was killed. Police say that was the first time they heard of any problems with the couple, although friends say Sarah did fear for her safety.
"From speaking to some of her associates, she did have some concern for her safety, and it was typical 'this is not going to happen to me' situation," said Chief of Police Richard Bogan.
Sarah's parents showed up at the home this morning to gather some of her 2-year-old daughters belongings. They tell me little Natalie was Sarah's life.
And Sarah's father David says she was trying to get her own life back on track. Last November, his 20-year-old daughter moved back home with her parents. She was also working as a photo manager at a local Walgreens, and she re-enrolled at a community college.
"She was just quiet, sweet, and she was just all about her daughter," Boughton said. "Her daughter was everything to her."
The Bessey's daughter is staying with Sarah's parents at this time.
As for Greg Bessey, he has been arraigned on murder charges in the second degree. He's being held without bail until a hearing Wednesday.
