Woman Charged In Needham Murder Remains Held Without Bail

NEEDHAM, MA — A woman charged with killing her elderly neighbor will remain behind bars without bail.

Tammie Galloway of Needham is accused of killing 81-year-old Laurie Shifrina. She was arraigned Thursday afternoon in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham and pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, armed robbery, home invasion, and motor vehicle larceny. She was also charged with possession of a firearm without an FID in a separate case.

On May 31, 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.

Galloway, who was Shifrina's neighbor, told investigators that she last saw her neighbor on May 28.

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.

A friend of Galloway told investigators that she bought him shoes with a $100 bill. When asked where she got the money, Galloway allegedly replied that she robbed someone. When news of Shifrina's death came to light, she said that the woman was alive when she left.

Galloway is due back in court Oct. 20 for a pre-trial conference.

Image Credit: Dan Libon