– Cold case murder Pennsylvania woman
– Suspect arrest cold case killing Pennsylvania.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
After more than three decades of unanswered questions, justice may finally be served in the case of the brutal murder of 78-year-old Rose Hnath in her Lehigh Valley home. Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan announced on Thursday, May 16, that Michael Breisch, now 65, has been arrested and charged with homicide and burglary in connection with Hnath’s death.
The Tragic Murder of Rose Hnath
Rose Hnath, a widow who lived alone in her home on 2nd Street in the Coplay section of North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, was found dead on the night of January 21, 1989. Family members discovered her body after she failed to attend her regular church service. The scene was one of devastation, with signs of a violent struggle and a ransacked home.
Investigators determined that Hnath had been stabbed multiple times and subjected to blunt force trauma, resulting in her untimely death being classified as a homicide. It was evident from defensive wounds that she had fought against her attacker, showing remarkable courage in the face of danger.
Among the evidence collected at the crime scene were a knife and a pellet gun, both of which were found nearby. These items were carefully preserved over the years as investigators tirelessly worked to solve the case.
Breakthrough Using DNA Technology
Despite years of fruitless investigation, advancements in DNA technology finally provided a breakthrough in the cold case. By analysing DNA evidence, authorities were able to identify Michael Breisch as the prime suspect in Hnath’s murder.
“The preservation of crucial evidence coupled with modern investigative techniques from the 21st century led us to Michael Breisch and enabled us to make this arrest in 2024,” stated a spokesperson from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.
At the time of the crime, Breisch was residing in a community corrections facility in Allentown. It is believed that he burglarized Hnath’s home on the day of her murder, although he has not been linked to a previous burglary at the same residence. Following the identification of Breisch as the suspect, he was apprehended in Ohio, where he had briefly resided after leaving Pennsylvania. He was subsequently extradited back to Pennsylvania.
Michael Breisch is currently being held without bail at the Lehigh County Jail, facing charges of criminal homicide, burglary, robbery, and other related offences. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2024.
Authorities involved in the investigation, including Pennsylvania State troopers and Lehigh County Detectives, worked tirelessly to bring closure to the case. The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, and law enforcement agencies in Coshocton County, Ohio, also played crucial roles in the arrest and extradition of Breisch.
Family members of Rose Hnath expressed relief and gratitude upon hearing news of the arrest. Investigators have determined that Breisch did not know Hnath prior to the murder and acted alone in the crime. No other suspects are being sought in connection with Hnath’s tragic death.
As of now, there is no legal representation listed for Michael Breisch in online court records.
This detailed account of the breakthrough in the 1989 cold case murder of Rose Hnath was originally reported by NBCNews.com.
.
– Police arrest suspect in cold case killing of Pennsylvania woman
– Police arrest suspect in 1989 cold case killing of elderly Pennsylvania woman.
