Sauquoit Woman Charged In Death Of Local Doctor

A seven-month long investigation by the Oneida County Sheriff's Office has led to the arrest of a Sauquoit woman in the death of a local doctor.

Mary Louise Yoder, who owned and operated Chiropractic Family Care on Oriskany Boulevard in Whitesboro along with her husband, died last July.

23-year old Kaitlyn Conley, who worked at the practice at the time, is charged with second-degree murder.

Sheriff Rob Maciol says a family member who felt Yoder's death was suspicious called the Sheriff's Office in October and wanted an investigation.

Maciol says the Onondaga County Medical County Examiner's Office ruled Yoder's death as a homicide in December of 2015.  He says the cause of death was Colchicine toxicity, which is a poison.

Investigator Robert Nelson says Conley had to do some research to obtain the Colchicine.  He say it's used to treat gout, but the Colchicine in this case was "research grade" and a more pure form.

Conley is also charged with forgery, falsifying business records and petty larceny.

Authorities would not release a possible motive in the case.