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| DA John Morganelli and ADA Patricia Mulqueen (Violent Crimes Unit) |
According to Coroner Zach Lysek, Holmes died from a combination of smoke inhalation, thermal injuries and multiple stab wounds. He has ruled the matter is a homicide. Holmes' family has been notified.
District Attorney Jophn Morganelli said that Holmes was set afire while he was still alive, as determined by the presence of smoke in his lungs. He believes Holmes was in "extreme pain and conscious" at the time of his death. He deduced that the combination of stabbing with the use of accelerants tells him this is a first degree murder. He added this may be a death penalty case because "torture is an aggravating circumstance."
Thanks to the Allentown Police Department, which supplied the services of a K-9 dig trained in the detection of fire accelerants, police believe that they used in the area on nearby grass, but further testing is needed.
"It is a very violent homicide," said Police Chief Mark DiLuzio. He asked anyone with information to call police at 610-865-7187. He even suggested that tipsters should call 911.
Investigators know that Holmes is from the Bethlehem area, but was not a resident of the apartment complex.
"We do not believe it is a random act," said Morganelli. "This is a more personal type of crime," he said, noting that stabbing tends to be personal. "This is a very egregious crime."
Morganelli believes this it is likely that the murder took place at or near the apartment complex.
Police declined to answer questions whether this homicide is drug or gang-related. He said they are looking at a "circle of individuals who had contact with the victim," but declined to say whether they are suspects.
"I'm hopeful and confident that this is a case that's solvable," he concluded.
This is the first homicide in Bethlehem this year.
13 comments:
If this unspeakablly horrible crime had involved an “assault rifle” the comment section at this site would overload the system and blow the fuses as people went butt wild screaming about the NRA and AR15s and assorted Social Justice Warrior hysteria.
This is just so sick and sad. Sorry for the victim and his family. what a sick world we live in. Those responsible are plain animals that could do that to that young man.
Dude must have really pissed someone off and had it coming it appears. Oh well... next!
Sadly this is the NY and NJ influence on our region. The ethic tide has changed things.
It’s “ethnic,” not ethic. It’s also clear you are a bigot to jump to this conclusion so quickly.
Sounds like angry old white men.
Bernie, can we all put in a plea to the DA to bring back public hangings in Northampton County the historic seat of the triboro cesspool we live in now. The attraction point here is public political corruption a selling point to all commers willing to buy into the shitstew!
Sad Sad Sad
That bar room tan looks great. Lets have Another round at the club in Bethlehem
Mezzacraycray, full of hate. Pay your fine.
This horrific homicide literally hits close to home for me being that I grew up a block away from where this deplorable crime occurred. This has always been a peaceful well-kept residential neighborhood. If the deceased young man didn't live around there, how did he end up there? Was he deliberately taken there because it was a small quiet apartment building with a dumpster in an unassuming neighborhood? Did the authorities scan the area for any surveillance cameras in the vicinity? There are not many people out and about at that hour. I strongly believe the answer is out there through a compilation of surveillance footage and the time needed to piece it all together. If the motives behind this are drug or gang related, I fear that there will be few if any brave souls volunteering any information. I pray that our detectives are doing everything they can to find what monster(s) is responsible for this and bring justice and peace to the community and this boy's family. Godspeed.
Words cannot express the heartbreak and grief I feel. I knew this young man and knew him to be gentle and kind person who did in No way deserve to be murdered in such a mean cruel way. God bless his soul and let no rest or peace for the person who committed this vicious act.
Words cannot express the heartbreak and grief I feel. I knew this young man and knew him to be gentle and kind person who did in No way deserve to be murdered in such a mean cruel way. God bless his soul and let no rest or peace for the person who committed this vicious act.
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