Westmoreland County man accused of killing mother before fleeing scene surrenders to police

A Westmoreland County man who police say killed his mother outside her home surrendered to police on Sunday evening after an hours-long manhunt.

Jakob Michael Korber is charged with killing his mother, who was identified by the coroner as Christin Hamilton. Pennsylvania State Police said he beat her to death for over an hour while she pleaded for her life.   

Police had released a photo of Korber from around the time the incident took place, asking for the public's help in finding him. Neighbors called police around 6:45 p.m. after spotting Korber in the same clothes walking down the street toward the residence. 

A KDKA-TV camera captured exclusive video of Korber approaching the driveway to the home. He stared at the camera before being met by police who had rushed to the driveway. He knelt down and put his hands over his head, before police told him to get on the ground. He was taken into custody without incident.

"I'm glad that it's over," said Connie Underwood, whose home is next to where Hamilton lived. "It's been a hectic day, a worrisome day."

Police were alerted to an incident along Herminie West Newton Road in West Newton around 9:30 a.m. 

Upon arrival, state troopers found an unresponsive woman on the property who was declared deceased.

The manhunt featured a helicopter in the air and K9 units on the ground, along with officers combing through the woods. 

"The officer told me to stay in our house, lock our doors," said Connie's husband John. He got his gun. "When you don't feel safe in your own yard, you start worrying about stuff like that."

For Connie Underwood, she'd lost more than a neighbor. She'd lost a friend. 

"I couldn't believe it. I was just talking to her in my driveway," she said. "She was a nice neighbor. A nice girl. Really was."

A source close to the family told KDKA-TV that Jakob was schizophrenic, and that some family members had tried to get him help.

"There has always been something wrong with him," Connie Underwood said. 

Tragedy has impacted the family before. According to an obituary, Korber's 16-year-old sister, Kylee Korber, was among four Yough High School students who were killed in a crash in March 2026.

"Nobody should have to go through that, nobody," Connie Underwood said. 

She explained that both Hamilton's husband and sister had died previously, which obituaries confirm. She said this latest incident brings her a lot of heartache, and that she's worried about their remaining kids. 

"I'm so sorry that she's gone," she said. "I mean, that's devastating. But there's two children left here that are without a dad, without an aunt, without a mom. It's devastating."

She told KDKA-TV that she hopes Jakob Korber will now get the help he needs. 

He's being held at the Westmoreland County Prison and did not say anything to reporters as he left the police barracks.