2 people arrested for death of 71-year-old after body was found in Uniontown
The Fayette County District Attorney's Office has charged two people connected to the death of a 71-year-old man whose body was found just outside the Uniontown city limits on Sunday.
Terry Newland, 58, and Alysha Riggans, 30, are accused of conspiring to kill Ralph Brown, with whom they resided in Uniontown, the DA's office confirmed to KDKA-TV on Monday morning.
Newland and Riggans were allegedly unwelcome squatters at Brown's rental home at 11 Crow Avenue in the city. According to Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele, the couple had overstayed their welcome by several months. It was during this time that investigators say the pair plotted to kill Brown, stealing money out of his bank accounts and then dumping his body near the railroad tracks along Kerr Street, just a short distance from Brown's home.
"It was immediately apparent to us, once we had forensic services on scene, that this was a suspicious death, that this was a homicide," Aubele said. "From there, Uniontown police were able to develop a positive identification on the deceased individual. We went to that individual's residence, where we met with our two defendants. And as soon as we walked into the house, we noticed items of forensic value, including potential blood."
Aubele says that Brown appears to have been stabbed, beaten, and suffocated several days ago before his body was dumped.
"This is still a very active investigation," Aubele said. "We still have areas to canvas. However, based on the investigation that we have, the evidence that we have already collected, and the statements that we have, we are confident that there is no danger to the public, that these are the two individuals responsible for Mr. Brown's death."
Newland and Riggans have been charged with criminal homicide, abusing a corpse, and tampering with evidence.
Residents share concerns
Neighbors who spoke with KDKA on Sunday evening said the alleged crime will change their daily habits.
If it weren't for the many calls he received, resident Ronald Bryant Jr. would have had no idea that a body was found near the railroad tracks just down the street from his Kerr Street home.
"For something like that to happen, that is the biggest surprise," Bryant Jr. said.
Other neighbors said they saw a large police scene form around 11 a.m. Sunday.
"I'll be surprised there's not somebody who didn't notice or suspect something," Bryant Jr. said. "The neighborhood is safe."
Bryant Jr. said the incident worries him, considering how close it happened to his home. He said that moving forward, he plans to be more aware of his surroundings.
