Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 53-year-old Kirk F. Bielanin of Town of Amherst was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging him with one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) and one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony).

It is alleged that between the late evening of May 30, 2022 and the early morning hours of May 31, 2022, the defendant stabbed his girlfriend once in the chest. The alleged crime occurred inside of the victim’s home on Glen Oak Drive in the Town of Amherst. The victim, 60-year-old Diane Bird, died at the scene.

Bielanin is scheduled to return on Monday, July 11, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. The defendant remains held without bail.

If convicted of the highest charge, Bielanin faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department for their work in the investigation.  

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eugene T. Partridge, III of the Homicide Unit.  

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.