ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Police have identified both the suspect and victim of a domestic homicide investigation in Albany. Alphonso Lester, 60, of Albany, was charged with second-degree murder in connection to the death of his sister, 61-year-old Angela Helms.
Albany Police responded to a home on the 400 block of Hudson Avenue near South Lake Avenue around 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday after receiving a call regarding a woman being found unresponsive. Arriving officers located Helms at the residence with a severe head injury, and after attempting treatment, emergency responders declared the Albany woman dead at the scene.
During the ensuing investigation, detectives determined that Lester, Helms’ younger brother, had allegedly struck her in the head with a blunt object before reportedly fleeing the area. Agents of Albany Police Department’s Emergency Service and Crisis Management Teams then established a presence at Lester’s house on Western Avenue’s 100 block and engaged in an extended standoff that resulted in Lester’s arrest.
Lester was additionally charged with first-degree burglary, and police later learned he had an active parole warrant. He was held at the Albany County Jail after his arraignment in Albany City Criminal Court on Thursday morning.
NEWS10’s Carina Dominguez spoke with the victim’s heartbroken oldest daughter. She said they’re making arrangements and will share that information soon, as Helms was well-liked in the community. Helms worked at Albany High School and took in many foster kids over the years.
Albany County Legislator and Neighbor Beroro Efekoro (D-district 7) knew helms – a constituent in his district.
“She was a great supporter. She actually had my sign up when I was running the first time, right in front of the house over there. And she’s somebody that has always tried to be active in the community, and she is going to be a great loss to the community and to the neighborhood,” said Efekoro. He said she was passionate about the community.
“When I was first running, it was more about the youth and violence in the community and getting, you know, afterschool programs. So she would talk about afterschool programs and stuff like that,” said Efekoro.
He said more recently she cared about the College of St. Rose closure and vacant buildings in the city. Efekoro said her presence will be missed in the neighborhood.
“She was just great and, you know, lively. She usually walks her dog around the block and says hi to everybody, greets everybody. She was just like, you know, passionate and lovely. She was a great lady and a great loss to the community,” said Efekoro.
Lester was remanded, without bail, to the Albany County Correctional Facility. He’s expected back in court for a preliminary hearing on October 21.
