Maine woman charged in N.H. shooting

CONWAY, N.H. – A New Hampshire man’s death was ruled a homicide Sunday after an autopsy found he died after being shot once in the chest. A Maine woman has been arrested in the case.

Police discovered the body of Douglas Silvio, 42, of Conway shortly after 6 a.m. Friday at a tattoo and piercing parlor named Crow’s Creations, said New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeffery Strelzin.

Police went to the business after receiving a 911 call, he said.

Sara Hersh, 21, of Fryeburg, Maine, was arrested later in the day, Strelzin said. She faces a manslaughter charge and is accused of recklessly causing Silvio’s death by shooting him. Authorities have the gun used to kill Silvio, Strelzin said.

Neighbors at a complex for elderly and disabled residents in North Conway expressed shock over Silvio’s death.

“He was very nice and would help anybody,” said Doris Hodge. She said Silvio’s former wife and daughter live locally.

Dottie Field, who said she has known Silvio about 10 years, said he had recently had surgery and walked with a cane.

Other neighbors described him as friendly but someone who kept to himself.

Silvio and Hersh were at the business for a Christmas Eve gathering, Strelzin said. He said they were acquaintances of the owner.

Hersh is being held at New Hampshire’s Carroll County jail until her arraignment this afternoon, he said.