Police Find Body Of Woman After Man Tells Cambria County Jail Counselor About Crime
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - State Police found the badly decomposed body of an unidentified woman in a home in East Pittsburgh.
The medical examiner responded to a residence in East Pittsburgh after receiving reports shortly after 2 p.m. Monday of a "suspicious death."
The way investigators ended at the Maple Street home was highly unusual.
State Trooper Melinda Bondarenka told reporters: "Our station, PSP Pittsburgh, was contacted by detectives in Cambria County that an individual said he committed a crime at one of the residences here, which is 18 Maple."
KDKA's Lindsay Ward Reports:
State Police say the inmate told the Cambria County Jail counselor that he allegedly killed the woman at the home.
After troopers made their initial entry into the home to conduct a welfare check and discovered the body, they got a search warrant to investigate further, without disturbing any possible evidence.
Specially-suited personnel from the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office could also be seen going in and out of the home.
"From my understanding, he went to a counselor and said, 'I need to tell you something,' and said that he committed a crime, and gave the location," Trooper Bondarenda said.
Bondarenka said Tuesday afternoon that investigators were still working to identify the woman. Her name, as well as the name of the inmate, has yet to be released.
The trooper also said State Police hope to file charges Wednesday against the inmate in connection with the death.
As of Tuesday afternoon, officials said the suspect was still being held in Cambria County Jail on a probation violation.
State Police took over law enforcement duties in East Pittsburgh late last year, in the aftermath of the Antwon Rose shooting.
"It's just sad," said Mark Petri, a neighbor who lived nearby. "This is a quiet neighborhood, we've had some tragedies happen here, the Antwon Rose tragedy down the street. It's just sad to hear when someone dies."
Residents say the neighborhood is not what it used to be.
"They run, scream. Kids are out till 10 or 11 at night," said resident Leo Conklan.
Ron Dreshman, who also lives nearby, echoed his neighbor's sentiment.
"There's just new people coming in, and it's just loud and maybe people just don't care like they should. Respect is the word we're looking for. They should be more respectful with their neighbors," he said.
Dreshman also wondered why the woman was not found sooner.
"My concern is, why didn't other neighbors look at her. If you haven't seen someone for a couple of weeks, maybe you should try to find out what's going on."
(TM and © Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)