Needham Murder Suspect's Housing Authority Background Check Only Covered In-State Crimes

NEEDHAM, MA — A background check performed on Needham murder suspect Tammie Galloway only covered in-state crimes, the executive director of the Needham Housing Authority confirmed.

NHA Executive Director Paul Dumouchel told the Needham Times that the authority followed every regulation when Galloway moved into the Linden Street complex.

Galloway, 47, has an extensive criminal record from her time in North Carolina. She had lived in Needham for about a year when she was arrested for the murder of Laura Shifrina. She was arrested in late June and remains held without bail on charges of murder 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 is due back in court July 28 while the housing authority is expected to discuss possibly expanding their background checks when they meet July 20.

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