Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Nicholas M. Malvaso, 37, of Town of Tonawanda, pleaded guilty this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Kelly Vacco to one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class A-I felony). Malvaso entered a guilty plea to the sole count of the indictment.
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, at approximately 2:45 a.m., Town of Tonawanda Police officers and paramedics responded to a residence on the 300 block of Cleveland Drive after receiving a 911 call. The victim, a 51-year-old Tiffany L. Malvaso, was pronounced deceased inside the home. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the manner of death as homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head and neck. The defendant intentionally caused the death of his wife by hitting her with a hammer.
Malvaso faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. He remains held without bail.
DA Keane commends Detective Robert Kubus, Detective Mark Muscoreil, Detective Mark Shell, Detective Joseph Kazmark, Officer Justin Okun and Officer Nick Thomas of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Justin T. Wallens and Frank A. Strano of the Homicide Bureau.
If you or someone you know is a victim or may be at-risk of domestic violence, help is available through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program. While our staff specialize in trauma-informed support and victim advocacy following the arrest of an offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services. For more information on BE SAFE, call 716-858-4630 or visit www.erie.gov/besafe.