A couple of artists was found slain inside their Buffalo, New York, home on Tuesday, March 4. The victims were identified as Michael “Mickey” Harmon, 40, and his partner, Jordan Celotto, 37, during a press conference held on Wednesday by acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon.
According to Deputy Buffalo Police Commissioner Patrick Overdorf, officers discovered their bodies after responding to a 911 call regarding a “person with a knife.” The call was made by a friend who had gone to their home after growing concerned when one of them failed to show up for work.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a 35-year-old man holding a knife. After initially refusing to drop the weapon, he eventually complied but not before injuring himself. He was taken to the hospital, where he remained under police supervision as of Wednesday, March 5. Authorities have classified him as a “person of interest,” though his identity has not been publicly disclosed.
Following a search of the home, officers discovered the bodies of Harmon and Celotto. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was blunt force trauma. While the Buffalo Police homicide squad continues to investigate, Overdorf stated there is currently no indication that the crime was motivated by hate. However, he emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, and all possible leads are being explored.
Buffalo council member Mitch Nowakowski, who was a personal friend of the victims, also spoke at the press conference. He confirmed that Harmon and Celotto had been partners for a long time and were well-known in the LGBTQ community. Nowakowski reassured residents that, based on current findings, the crime does not appear to be a hate-motivated attack, and the community should not fear that a suspect remains at large.
Harmon was a prolific artist and a co-owner of an art gallery called The Pineapple on Allen Street. His and Celotto’s shared passion for art was a significant part of their lives, as they were deeply involved in the local artistic community. They contributed to various performances, community events, and artistic collaborations.
Tributes have poured in from local organizations, including the Pride Center of Western New York, North Park Theatre, Elmwood Village Association, Remedy House, and Explore Buffalo, as the community mourns the loss of two influential artists. The investigation into their deaths remains active as authorities seek further details.
