Bessemer man sentenced in fatal shooting of girlfriend

BESSEMER, Pa. (WKBN) – A Bessemer man was sentenced Tuesday in the June 2023 fatal shooting of his girlfriend in Lawrence County.

Michael Work, 34, was sentenced in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court to 6 to 12 years in prison in the fatal shooting of Brandi Genova. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Work reportedly told family members that he shot Genova at their home on Bestview Avenue , according to Pennsylvania State Police. Troopers arrived to find Genova dead with apparent gunshot wounds.

Investigators arrested Work at the Union Square shopping plaza in Union Township.

The victim’s cousin Tracy Akins and her husband are raising Work and Genova’s child who is 6 years old. She said that her cousin was her best friend and was very giving.

“Happiest, funniest person ever. Even on her worst day she could make you laugh — a big flower child and just wanted to have peace with everybody,” Akins said.

In her impact statement to the court, Akins said first and foremost her concern is for the child in her care and his future stability.

Chelsea Simeon contributed to this report.

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