A Pennsylvania man is behind bars after state police say they found his roommate’s body scattered in three locations, including a trail, a cemetery, and a quarry.
Police said 37-year-old David Hittinger’s dismembered body was discovered in Slatington, just 15 miles north of Allentown, Pennsylvania, according to CBS News.
Hittinger was reported missing Monday by a friend who called the state police.
“It was unusual that they had not heard from him in that period of time, [they] expected to hear from him.” Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said during a Friday afternoon press conference. “It was his birthday.”
The call led to police searching 33-year-old Joshua Moser’s home, where Hittinger was residing. According to 69 News WFMZ-TV, court documents allege the killing happened inside the home, located off West Franklin Street.
When police searched the residence Tuesday, they said they found blood and hair, plus evidence of efforts to conceal the blood. They returned to the home on Wednesday and discovered a saw, a box cutter, and bloody clothing.
An affidavit said Moser admitted to police he strangled and struck Hittinger with a hammer.
Moser reportedly told investigators he dismembered Hittinger, then threw away his body parts in multiple locations, including the Fairview Cemetery, and a quarry off of Welshtown Road in neighboring Washington Township.
“Then there’s a trail off of that, like a foot trail. The parts were discarded there,” said Holihan.
Authorities found Moser in Monroe County on Wednesday where he was taken into custody on a parole violation, stemming from a fatal DUI crash in 2016.
According to NBC 10, Moser was arraigned on May 17 and charged with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with/fabricating physical evidence.
Officials did not reveal a possible motive behind the murder Holihan said Friday that there “appeared to be some sort of disagreement” before the killing. Holihan also said the investigation, so far, suggests that Moser acted alone and there does not appear to be a threat to the public.
Moser is currently behind bars in Monroe County. Bail was denied.
Holihan added that Moser will be transported to Lehigh County at some point before his preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for the end of the month.
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[Feature Photo: Joshua Moser/Monroe County Jail]
