Needham Murder: Suspect Held Without Bail

NEEDHAM, MA - The woman who police believed killed an 81-year-old Needham woman was ordered held without bail Friday morning.

Tammie Galloway, 47, was arraigned Friday morning in Dedham District Court. She pleaded not guilty to the murder of Laura Shifrina and motor vehicle larceny.

Shifrina was found dead in her home, located at an elderly housing department on Linden Street. The Russian immigrant was found with lacerations to her neck and a medical examination determined that she had three broken ribs on the left side of her body and one on the right, according to a police report read in court.

During the investigation, police learned that Shifrina’s car, checkbook, cell phone, and jewelry were missing. The car, a Ford Fiesta, was located in Dorchester.

Prosecutors say Galloway was Shifrina's neighbor. Surveillance footage in Dorchester showed a woman who looked like Galloway near the car, with a purple purse, and wiping down the exterior handles with bleach. Police located the purse while executing a search warrant on June 11. A gun and blood stain was located in the purse, which prosecutors say is a DNA match to the victim.

Galloway was taken into custody because the possession of a handgun is a violation of her probation. District Attorney Michael Morrissey said afterward that he believes she was in custody for a couple of weeks.

While not giving a motivation for the alleged crime, Morrissey said the incident was not random and targeted.

“Needham is a safe community. Rarely do we get homicides down there, so I think this caused concerned not only with the residents but with the community as well,” Morrissey said.

“I think the news today will bring some calm down there,” Needham Police Chief John Schlitter said.

Galloway is due back in court in late July for a probable cause hearing.