Missing Ticonderoga man found dead in Saratoga County home
MILTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- There are new details in the case of a missing man from Ticonderoga who was found dead in a Saratoga County basement.
The sheriff’s office says they found 40-year-old Thomas Krider inside a home on Middleline Road in the town of Milton. Krider, who also went by the name T.J. Greene was reported missing April 6th from his home in Ticonderoga. His alleged killer is in custody, and deputies say the men were not strangers to one another.
“They have known each other over 10 years and had been acquainted in a close relationship during that time. The victim was picked up by the defendant in Ticonderoga and brought to this area, in Saratoga County and they ended up at the suspects home,” said Saratoga County Undersheriff Jeff Brown.
That’s how the undersheriff described the events that led Krider to 69-year-old Ronald Rayher’s home. Court documents describing what allegedly happened, say Rayher killed Krider by restraining and binding him, then repeatedly using a chemical described as chloroform on him. “We do have an autopsy that is pending which we are waiting a toxicology result,” stated the undersheriff.
The filings also say between April 5th and 9th, Rayher tried to hide Krider’s personal belongings from the scene. “During that time frame the defendant did various things but he did not report the death until yesterday morning when he showed up to the Sheriff's Office,” said Brown.
Rayher was arraigned in Milton Town Court on two felony counts. One for manslaughter in the second and another for tampering with evidence.
As a tour guide with the Start Trek Set Tour in Ticonderoga, T.J. was well known in his community. A family friend, James Cawley, tells NEWS10 T.J. was also a talented Elvis Presley tribute artist. He says he will be remembered for his kind and trusting soul and his warm, friendly demeanor. Cawley says they are devastated by his loss and will keep him close to their hearts.
Rayher is being held at the Saratoga County Jail on $250,000 bail and is expected back in court May 21ST.