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N.Y. Police Chief Found Dead After Lengthy Standoff with State Troopers

Sylvan Beach N.Y. (AP) -- A village police chief who allegedly threatened to harm himself and others was found dead inside his home early Tuesday after a more than 24-hour standoff with state troopers.

A camera-equipped robot sent into the home at 5:20 a.m. revealed that Canastota Police Chief Guy Blasier was dead, state police Maj. Thomas Kelly told reporters.

Blasier, 39, was armed but police said they heard no shots during the standoff and had not fired any of their own weapons. An autopsy was scheduled.

Kelly would not comment on the condition of the body or where it was found in the house, 25 miles northeast of Syracuse.

Blasier’s wife left the house with their two children early Monday and reported a domestic disturbance involving minor physical contact, Kelly said. Blasier had threatened to harm himself and others, Kelly said.

Canastota Mayor Todd Rouse said Blasier started working for the police department as a patrol officer in 1990 and was named full-time police chief in 1999. The department has six full-time officers and several part-timers.

Rouse said Blasier had filed three lawsuits against the village in recent years, but he would not divulge details.