HOMER CITY, Pa. (EYT) – The Pennsylvania State Police and Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi Jr. announced on Tuesday that a 14-year-old juvenile defendant was formally charged on Tuesday with Criminal Homicide in the death of Hayden Robert Garreffa, who was the victim of a kidnapping and subsequent homicide on October 20.
Fourteen-year-old Harmony Rhyne Hayward, of Johnstown, Pa.–who was originally charged as a juvenile and has been incarcerated in a juvenile detention facility since her arrest–is awaiting her preliminary arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Susanne Steffee.
Seven other defendants remain in custody in the case, each charged with Criminal Homicide. They are:
- Desean Garcia Alvarez, 21, of Hammond, Indiana
- Isaac Joel Buchkoski, 21, of Johnstown
- Mia Shai Catalfano, 18, of Johnstown
- Taylyn Nashell Edwards, 18, of Johnstown
- Thomas Alan Rivera, 20, of Johnstown
- Summer Isabella Settlemyer, 18, of Johnstown
- Jesse Lee Wadsworth, 18, of Johnstown
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for January 13, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at the Indiana County Courthouse.
“I appreciate the continued efforts of the Pennsylvania State Police in this serious case,” said
Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi, Jr. “This will be a long and arduous prosecution.
We will continue to work in concert with the Pennsylvania State Police to bring justice for
Hayden.”
Details of the case:
The body of 19-year-old Hayden Robert Garreffa was located by troopers on Saturday, October 22, at approximately 4:00 a.m. in a remote, wooded area of Brush Valley Township, Indiana County.
Victim: Hayden Robert Garreffa
Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman Jr. responded to the scene and ruled Garreffa’s death a homicide.
Garreffa was determined to have died on Thursday, October 20, at approximately 2:30 p.m. An autopsy was scheduled for October 24 to determine the cause of death.
As the result of an extensive investigation by members of the Troop A Criminal Investigation Section and Criminal Investigation Assessment Unit, investigators determined that Garreffa was the victim of a kidnapping and subsequent homicide, both of which occurred on the afternoon of October 20.
Assisting agencies include the Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County Coroner’s Office, Ebensburg Borough Police Department, City of Johnstown Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.
RELATED ARTICLE:
Seven Adult Defendants Charged With Criminal Homicide in Death of Indiana County Man
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