A New York man who’s a person of interest in his young wife’s death apparently has a past criminal history of domestic abuse, according to court records.
Although George McDonald, 24, has not been charged in connection with 19-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzie” Garrow’s murder, he has been behind bars for nearly a month for violating a restraining order that required him to stay away from her.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Garrow was last seen at a Dunkin’ in Canastota just before noon on September 23. She was reported to be with her husband, McDonald, at the time.
When family members couldn’t get in touch with Garrow, they reported her missing on September 24. Garrow was a “homebody” who doted on her 1-year-old daughter, family members told CNYCentral, and she was six-weeks pregnant with her second child.
“I knew something was wrong. I’m thinking: Where is she? This is unusual,” Garrow’s sister Melissa Bush said. “She’s always online: Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook. But she hasn’t posted anything.”
On September 26, authorities found a body that matched the description of Garrow, around a half-mile away from Dunkin’. According to The Post-Standard, more than 75 officers and trained rescuers from nine different agencies spent the weekend searching for Garrow throughout Madison County.
According to police, Garrow was stabbed to death on September 23. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said that McDonald is the sole person of interest in Garrow’s death at this time.
Investigators questioned McDonald about his wife but he invoked his right to remain silent, police said.
Bush, along with Garrow’s other sister, Emily Lloyd, told The Post-Standard that Garrow met her husband on Facebook earlier this year and within months they were married. From almost the beginning, according to the sisters, McDonald was controlling and abusive.
“The next thing you know they were dating. He rushed everything,” Bush said. “The first day, he was like, ‘I want to get married.”
Shortly after marriage, McDonald allegedly told Garrow to get his name tattooed on her body. He reportedly threatened to leave her if she didn’t, so she ended up getting the name “George” tattooed on her arm.
Mcdonald’s possessiveness of his wife turned to physical abuse, according to the sisters. When he promised he would stop, she took him back.
The criminal complaint states that McDonald tried to “pull her mouth apart” with his hands, tried to choke her, and hit her in the face. The incident happened on September 7, according to court documents.
During a previous relationship, McDonald beat his ex. He was eventually convicted of assault; police said the victim was the mother of McDonald’s child.
The victim’s mother told authorities she saw McDonald hitting her daughter in the head. He then allegedly attacked the mother when she tried to stop him.
After his conviction, McDonald was sentenced to probation. He met Garrow while still serving out his probation time. She sought a protection order against him after he allegedly began physically and emotionally abusing her.
The indictment against McDonald is scheduled to be unsealed on Thursday, during his court hearing.
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Here is our latest episode.
[Feature Photo: Elizabeth Garrow/Handout; George McDonald/Police Handout]
