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Woman killed day before support hearing

MONACA, Pa. — A woman who was shot and killed by her estranged husband at a Penn State satellite campus before he turned the gun on himself had become increasingly afraid for her safety, according to those close to her.

State police Lt. Eric Hermick said 49-year-old Lesli Kelly was on break from her shift at the campus cafeteria Wednesday when her ex-husband arrived.

The man, 52-year-old William Kelly, said he was bringing Christmas presents for their children, who are 12, 14 and 18. Witnesses told police the two had a brief conversation before he pulled out a handgun and fired multiple rounds at her.

Lesli Kelly’s family says the two were scheduled for a court hearing Thursday on child support payments.

Lesli Kelly’s fiance and co-worker told WTAE-TV he saw the shooting from their workplace window.

“I will never forgive the man that murdered her right in front of my eyes,” John Ward said.

Lesli Kelly worked as a chef at the campus bistro for more than 25 years. The Penn State Beaver’s student newspaper conducted an interview with the woman last year, in which she said she and the students were “pretty much family.”

One woman, who said she has known the Kellys for the past 15 years, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Lesli Kelly lived in fear for the past few weeks.

While police said they received harassment complaints, Lesli Kelly never filed a protection order against her ex-husband. William Kelley was convicted of a summary charge of harassment in 2014, according to court records.

Lynn Spencer, a friend of Lesli Kelly, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review the couple had recently completed their divorce proceedings.

“Lesli just wanted to move on and enjoy her life,” Spencer said.

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