BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Wyoming County man has been found guilty of a 2023 murder in Warsaw, the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.
A jury found that Michael Bellaire, 43, murdered Cheryl Cook, at Cook’s home on Nov. 2, 2023 by strangling her. Bellaire then stole Cook’s debit card and fled to Mexico, where he spent nearly a year on the run before he was captured.
Cook’s body was discovered five days later when authorities conducted a welfare check.
He was found guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree grand larceny. He faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 9, 2026.
Aidan Joly was named News 4’s Digital Executive Producer in 2025. He has been on staff since 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.
