Westmoreland County Office of the Coroner

Westmoreland County Coroner, Kenneth A. Bacha, has released the following information on a murder/suicide investigation in Allegheny Township. The siblings, John E. Dufford, 59 y/o male, and Karen A. Dufford, 62 y/o female, were involved in a physical altercation at their residence. The incident escalated and John Dufford discharged a firearm striking Karen Dufford multiple times. John Dufford then discharged a firearm striking himself in the head. Deputy Coroner Joshua C.... Zappone pronounced both decedents dead at the scene. The cause of death for Karen Dufford is multiple gunshot wounds. The manner of death is homicide. The cause of death for John Dufford is a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The manner of death is suicide. A funeral home has not been chosen at this time. Allegheny Township Police Department and the Westmoreland County Detective Bureau also investigated. View Release: https://bit.ly/34V2neV

Westmoreland County Coroner, Kenneth A. Bacha, has released the following information on a motor vehicle fatality that occurred in Hempfield Township. On October 11, 2020, at 1:04 AM, the decedent, Michael W. Schiff, 19 y/o male from St. Petersburg, Florida, was the operator and lone occupant of a 2006, Mercedez-Benz C280, traveling east on U.S. 30, at a high rate of speed. The decedent failed to negotiate a sharp right curve in the roadway, traveled over the center concret...e barrier, crossed the opposite lanes of travel, became airborne, and struck the southwest corner of a commercial building. The vehicle came to rest on the roof and the decedent was entrapped in the vehicle. Deputy Coroner Joshua C. Zappone pronounced the decedent dead at the scene. Speed is believed to have been a factor in the incident, the decedent was utilizing a seat-belt at the time of the incident, and cell phone use being a factor in the incident is unknown at this time. Toxicology results will not be available for several weeks. The cause off death has been determined to be multiple blunt force injuries, due to a single vehicle collision. The manner of death has been ruled accidental. Segal Funeral Home of Tampa, Florida will be in charge of arrangements. Pennsylvania State Police Greensburg Barracks also investigated and will release additional details at their discretion. View Release: https://bit.ly/2FkXCTb

Westmoreland County Coroner, Kenneth A. Bacha, has released the following information on a homicide investigation that occurred in East Huntingdon Township. On September 20, 2020, at approximately 11:40 PM, the decedent, Andrew E. Pristas, 33 y/o male from the City of Greensburg, was a visitor at a residence on Field Stone Lane where he suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Deputy Coroner Joshua C. Zappone pronounced the decedent dead at the scene. An autopsy was performed on September 21, 2020. The cause of death is a gunshot wound and the manner of death has been ruled homicide. Mason-Gelder Funeral Home of Jeannette is in charge of arrangements. Pennsylvania State Police Greensburg Barracks will release additional details at their discretion. View Release: https://bit.ly/33OHMIB

Westmoreland County Coroner, Kenneth A. Bacha, has released the following information on a train/pedestrian fatality that occurred in Hempfield Township. The decedent, Bryson K. Braun, 28 y/o male from Hempfield Township, was walking along the railroad tracks. The conductor and engineer of a westbound Norfolk Southern train viewed the decedent on the track. The train initiated its brakes and sounded the horn. The decedent stumbled and was unable to remove himself from the tra...cks prior to being struck by the train. The decedent suffered fatal blunt force injuries. Deputy Coroner Steven M. Grabiak pronounced the decedent dead at the scene. The cause of death has been determined to be multiple blunt force injuries. The manner of death is pending further investigation into the incident. Toxicology results will not be available for several weeks. A funeral home has not been chosen at this time. Norfolk Southern Railway Police also investigated. Full Release: https://bit.ly/3cfIGlm

Westmoreland County Coroner, Kenneth A. Bacha, has released the following information on a motorcycle fatality that occurred in North Huntingdon Township. On September 12, 2020, at 10:12 PM, the decedent, Dustin M. Norris, 35 y/o male from the Municipality of Murrysville, was the operator and lone occupant of a Suzuki DR200S motorcycle, traveling south on Guffey Road. The decedent failed to negotiate a left curve in the roadway and traversed the west side of the road. The ...decedent became separated from the motorcycle and impacted a large rock. Deputy Coroner John A. Ackerman pronounced the decedent dead at the scene. The decedent was not utilizing a helmet at the time of the incident. The cause of death has been determined to be blunt force trauma of the head, due to a single motorcycle collision. The manner of death has been ruled accidental. Toxicology results will not be available for several weeks. Wolfe-Von Geis Funeral Home of Export will be in charge of arrangements. North Huntingdon Township Police Department also investigated. Full Release: https://bit.ly/3ke1Rii

Westmoreland County Coroner, Kenneth A. Bacha, has released the following information on an off-road motorcycle fatality that occurred in Mount Pleasant Township. On August 23, 2020, at 1:21 PM, the decedent, Kenneth W. Miller, Jr., 19 y/o male from Salem Township, was the operator and lone occupant of a Suzuki RM-Z450, off-road motorcycle, traveling on a motocross track. The decedent attempted to clear a table top jump, came up short, and was separated from the motorcycle.... Emergency medical personnel transported the decedent to Excela Frick Emergency Department where he was pronounced dead by a hospital physician. The decedent was utilizing a helmet and proper protective gear at the time of the incident. The cause of death has been determined to be multiple blunt force trauma. The manner of death has been ruled accidental. Toxicology results will not be available for several weeks. Newhouse Funeral Home of New Alexandria will be in charge of arrangements. Pennsylvania State Police Greensburg Barracks also investigated. Full Release: https://bit.ly/2QlAt4S

Westmoreland County Coroner, Kenneth A. Bacha, has released the following information on a missing person who was recovered from the Youghiogheny River. The decedent, Craig A. Helsel, 53 y/o male from West Mifflin Borough, Allegheny County, was reported missing to authorities on July 19, 2020, at approximately 8:00 PM. This date, a State Police helicopter located the decedent and rescue teams recovered him from the river. Deputy Coroner Sean R. Hribal pronounced the decedent dead at the scene. An autopsy will be performed on July 21, 2020. Cause and manner of death will be pending autopsy and toxicology results. Toxicology results will not be available for several weeks. Wojciechowski Funeral Home of Glassport will be in charge of arrangements. Rostraver Township Police Department also investigated. Full Release: https://bit.ly/2ZLL9zb

Westmoreland County Coroner, Kenneth A. Bacha, has released the following information on a residential structure fire in Rostraver Township. On July 12, 2020, at approximately 2:00 AM, neighbors began to contact 911, due to a residence 808 Collinsburg Road being on fire. Firefighters arrived on scene finding the residence to be fully involved. The decedents, Marie A. Oblak, 81 y/o female and Lloyd D. Oblak, 83 y/o male, were discovered inside the residence. Deputy Coroner Jo...shua C. Zappone pronounced both decedents dead at the scene. An autopsy is scheduled for July 12, 2020. Cause and manner of death will be pending autopsy results, toxicology results, and further investigation into the cause of the fire. Toxicology results will not be available for several weeks. McCauley Funeral Home of West Newton will be in charge of arrangements for both decedents. Rostraver Township Police and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal also investigated. Full Release: https://bit.ly/2AWU9rW