New York Man Admits to Killing His Wife, Father and Grandmother After Years of Violent Warnings and Mental Health Red Flags
CROPSEYVILLE, NY — A 26-year-old New York man has pleaded guilty to murdering his wife, father, and grandmother in a horrific triple homicide that unfolded during a 911 call — an act his own mother says she feared for years.
Joshua Fowler admitted in Rensselaer County Court that he fatally shot 27-year-old Whitney Fowler, 55-year-old Wilson Fowler, and 69-year-old Anita Crandall at the family’s home on South Road on June 18. According to prosecutors, each victim was killed in separate rifle shots during the same violent incident.
The guilty plea brings a devastating end to a long-documented history of domestic turmoil and unaddressed mental health issues.
Gunfire Erupts During 911 Call From Wife
Authorities say the tragedy began around 6:30 p.m. when Whitney Fowler called 911 to report an altercation with her husband. While she was still on the phone with the dispatcher, multiple gunshots were heard in the background.
State troopers arrived minutes later to find Whitney dead outside the home. Inside, they discovered the bodies of Fowler’s father and grandmother.
When officers arrived, Fowler stood outside holding the rifle and refused repeated commands to drop it. Deputies ultimately used a Taser-like device to subdue him and take him into custody.
Officials later suggested Fowler may have been trying to provoke “suicide by cop.”
Family Says Warnings Were Ignored for Years
According to investigators, police had visited the home multiple times in the past for domestic issues. But the most haunting warning came from Fowler’s own mother, Eleanor Crandall, who says she long feared her son would become violent.
“I told his father when he was 15 years old, ‘You need to get him mental help because he’s going to kill somebody someday,’” she said in an interview after the murders.
After the killings, she said she felt as though she lost more than the victims.
“To me, my son died that night, too. I hate him. And that’s a very strong word in my vocabulary.”
Murder Charge Reduced in Plea Deal — But Fowler Faces Life Behind Bars
Fowler was originally charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors dropped that top charge in exchange for his guilty plea to three counts of second-degree murder. The plea deal avoids the mandatory life-without-parole sentence tied to first-degree murder.
However, Fowler still faces:
- 45 years to life for each murder count
- Sentences that can run consecutively
- A likely effective life sentence
Prosecutors emphasized that Fowler acknowledged each killing was a separate, deliberate act.
Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly said the plea brings accountability for a case that shattered an entire family.
Friends Mourn Victims, Especially Whitney Fowler
For the community, the loss of Whitney, Wilson, and Anita remains immeasurable.
Longtime friend Alexa Moak said Whitney was more than a victim — she was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, and friend whose life was taken far too soon.
“He just took them away,” Moak said. “Somebody’s mom, somebody’s sister, somebody’s daughter.”
Sentencing Scheduled for January
Joshua Fowler is set to be sentenced on January 26, where he will likely receive multiple decades-to-life in state prison.
Domestic violence cases often come with warning signs — but what more can be done when family members fear tragedy long before it happens? Share your thoughts with us at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.