Special Agent James Hendricks of the FBI of Albany was joined by local law enforcement, including the New York State Police, Oneida City Police, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oneida Indian Nation, to provide an update on the disappearance of Tammy Mahoney.
The press conference was held at the Troop D barracks in Oneida on Thursday, April 18, at 10:30 a.m. It was announced there that due to the uncovering of recent events there would be an increase in the reward for information leading to the recovery of the body of Tammy Mahoney or the arrest and/or prosecution of those responsible for her death.
That increased reward amount of $20,000Police Chief Gary Henderson of the Oneida Nation announced that the Oneida Nation would match that $20k by for a total of $40,000.
Numerous rumors surround the disappearance and presumed death of Tammy Mahoney but, according to reports, on the night of Friday, May 8, 1981, she was picked up hitchhiking in the city of Oneida near the intersections of Main Street and Fairview Avenue.
Police believe that she was taken to a party on the then Oneida Nation’s 32-acre territory on Route 46. Her body has never been found. Police have said for the last three decades that they know who killed Tammy and know the car believed to be the one that she last rode in to the party.
It is believed that those believed to be responsible for her death are still living in Central New York. They say they will make an arrest once more evidence is uncovered.
There were two recent deaths among individuals presumed to be knowledgeable of the case. Officials declined to state whether these deaths were related to the ‘recent events’ which led officials to believe that there may be people now willing to come forward with information about what happened that fateful night.
Mahoney was a 19 year old Morrisville student at the time of her death. She was a lover of animals, horses in particular. She lived with her boyfriend in Oneida and she worked a groom at Vernon Downs.
Tammy’s sister, Marlene Iaccesaglia, was present at the press event and spoke on behalf of the family. She shared that her mother at 85 is in ill health and prays for her missing child every day.
“She misses her daughter and wonders every day,” Laccesaglia said.
Over the years several locations throughout the region have been searched as possible sites for recovery of Tammy’s remains. Most recently, Mount Hope and Kallet Pond have been locations for such activity.
FBI Special Agent James Hendricks stated, “We know there are people out there who have the answers. Let’s solve this case and bring the family closure.”
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call the Oneida City Police Department at (315) 363-2323.
