DANNEMORA — The search continues for Anthony Pavone, whom State Police said is the prime suspect in the murders of a local man and woman.

As a massive manhunt continues for the 52-year-old Morrisonville man, many residents are still reeling in shock over the accusations against him. A number of co-workers and friends recall Pavone as a person always willing to help those in need.

He is being sought in connection with the Sunday morning shooting deaths of Timothy Carter, 52, of Dannemora and Patricia Howard, 43, of Plattsburgh.

Pavone and Howard were romantically involved for years, but had recently broken up, according to State Police.

They say Pavone turned up at Carter's Route 374 home around 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Howard called State Police to report that Pavone was outside knocking at the door and wouldn't leave.

When troopers arrived, they found signs of forced entry and Howard and Carter dead of gunshot wounds.

A nationwide alert has been issued for Pavone and his black 2001 GMC Sierra pickup truck.

State Police said Pavone had not been located as of Tuesday evening.

Authorities are continuing to search area woods and roadways for Pavone and used a boat to scan the shoreline of Lake Champlain Tuesday, with no signs of the wanted man.

Bureau of Criminal Investigation Capt. Robert LaFountain said there's "no indication he has left the area," though police have not ruled out that possibility.

LaFountain noted that Pavone "is known to frequent casinos," both in the United States and Canada, so those areas are on alert too.

All three people involved in the tragedy were well known within the northern community and had large extended families in the area.

Carter was a civilian employee at Clinton Correctional Facility, where he started working in November 2005 as a filter-plant operator.

He is survived by three children and four grandchildren.

Family members recalled him as a happy go-lucky guy and an avid outdoorsman, who often spent time hunting, fishing and snowmobiling.

He was also an accomplished carpenter and mechanic.

'OUTSTANDING PERSON'
As expected, an autopsy performed Tuesday at CVPH Medical Center confirmed that Carter died of a gunshot wound, and Clinton County Coroner David F. Donah officially ruled the death a homicide.

As Carter's family mourned his loss and made arrangements for his services Tuesday, his sister Louise Fogg said her brother was an all-around good person.

"He was an outstanding person. He was just so laid back, and he wasn't the person to argue or fight. He liked to be friends with everybody."

Fogg said Carter loved to stay busy and would be the first person to help others.

Howard was a dental hygienist who had worked at a Plattsburgh dental office for more than 20 years.

Earlier this week, those who knew Howard described her as a fun-loving and kind mother of two daughters.

Carter and Howard had just started dating recently.

HELPED WITH BENEFITS
Pavone is a former correction sergeant who retired from Clinton Correctional about two years ago after suffering a head injury during an inmate assault.

He went out on disability after undergoing facial reconstruction from the violence.

Many of those who know Pavone, a former Marine with sniper training, considered him a person who could always be counted on.

In the mid-1990s, Pavone was one of several people credited with saving the life of a correction officer who was attacked and repeatedly stabbed by an inmate.

Through the years, he was actively involved in a number of fundraising causes, including for the Christmas Bureau's annual toy drive and once for a Dannemora soldier who was left partially blind during military combat.

In 2003, Pavone organized a 200-person rally to raise support for area troops.

John Neveu of Keeseville, who is retired after working for years as a vocational instructor at the Lyon Mountain and Clinton facilities, remembers interacting with Pavone during facility fundraisers for the Christmas Bureau.

Neveu said he "couldn't believe it" when he heard Pavone could be connected with the murders.

RETIRED IN 2007
Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Linda Foglia said Pavone began his correction career in July 1981 and returned to the area about a year later after being stationed downstate. He retired in July 2007.

Some co-workers say Pavone was a good man but that he sometimes had rage issues.

Howard had told friends that she was concerned about how he would react to hearing that she was dating someone else.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com