Sanborn, New York — A quiet stretch of Buffalo Street is now the center of heartbreak after 35-year-old Alexis Skoczylas was found dead inside her home. By nightfall on February 14, 2026, what began as a routine welfare check had turned into a homicide investigation that shook this close-knit Niagara County community.
Officers with the Lewiston Police Department were dispatched to the residence at approximately 5:14 p.m. to check on the wellbeing of a female resident. When they arrived, they entered the home and discovered Skoczylas deceased inside. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities later charged 53-year-old Lance L. Woods with one count of Murder in the Second Degree in connection with her death. After being taken into custody, Woods was processed and transported to the Niagara County Jail. He remains there awaiting arraignment.
Investigators say the case has required a coordinated effort among multiple agencies. The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Niagara Falls Police Department, Niagara County District Attorney’s Office, Cheektowaga Police Department, Buffalo Police Department, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations have all been involved. Officials stress that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
For those who knew Alexis, the legal process unfolding now feels distant compared to the personal loss. Friends and neighbors describe her as kind and caring, someone whose presence brought warmth into a room. In a small community like Sanborn, that kind of spirit does not go unnoticed.
Her sudden death has left a deep void. Neighbors speak quietly about the shock of police vehicles lining the street. Loved ones are left grappling with grief that arrived without warning on a winter evening.
As authorities continue their work, the focus for many in Sanborn remains on remembering Alexis Skoczylas — her life, her relationships, and the memories she leaves behind. In the face of tragedy, the community is holding tight to one another and to the hope that justice will follow.
