Amherst Man Sentenced for Fatally Stabbling His Estranged Girlfriend

Kirk F. Bielanin, 55, of Amherst was sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to 12 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

Kirk F. Bielanin

Between the late evening of May 30, 2022 and the early morning hours of May 31, 2022, the defendant stabbed his estranged girlfriend, 60-year-old Diane Bird, once in the chest inside of her home on Glen Oak Drive in the Town of Amherst. The defendant, who previously resided at the home, was living with a family member in the Village of Depew at the time of the crime.

On May 31, 2022, at approximately 1:27 p.m., a coworker went to check on the victim after she did not appear for work. The coworker found the victim deceased near the front door and called 911. Responding police officers found Bielanin in an upstairs bedroom. He was transported by ambulance to ECMC where he was treated for a stab wound to his chest and a cut to his left wrist.

Bielanin pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) on November 20, 2023. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest count in the indictment before his nonjury trial was scheduled to begin the following week.

DA Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department for their work in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Chief Eugene T. Partridge, III of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant Chief Andres D. Ortiz of the Buffalo City Court Bureau.