Police Make Arrest In Murder Of 73-Year-Old McKees Rocks Man

MCKEES ROCKS (KDKA) -- A man has been arrested following a suspicious death in McKees Rocks earlier this week.

Branden Frazier, 25, of Stowe Township, did not have anything to say to reporters as he was led out of Allegheny County Police headquarters Friday evening.

He is charged with killing 73-year-old Benito Nicoletti of McKees Rocks.

"We believe it was Saturday evening or sometime late at night that the incident occurred. [The victim] was not discovered, unfortunately, until Wednesday evening," said Allegheny County Police Lt. Andrew Shurman.

Nicoletti's family asked police to make a wellness check at the man's home after no one was able to reach him for days.

"It does not appear there was forced entry and it does not appear the house was ransacked," said Lt. Shurman.

According to the criminal complaint, neighbors say they saw Frazier in the area a few days ago. He was reportedly asking where he could buy a gun. Several people said they also saw Frazier with the victim's car.

Police say that's how they connected the dots.

Authorities say Frazier is accused of taking Nicoletti's Chrysler 300, which was found less than a mile away from the house.

"There was a wallet taken, as well with his credit card," Lt. Shurman said.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

Police say it's still not clear what connection, if any, there was between Frazier and Nicoletti. He died as a result of blunt trauma to the head.

"We have charged [Frazier] with homicide, burglary, receiving stolen property and theft," Lt. Shurman said.

Fraizer is expected to be arraigned on those charges overnight.