PSP: Man wearing ghost mask charged in chainsaw homicide

LEHIGHTON BOROUGH, CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Details have been released regarding a homicide in Carbon County where a man was killed by a man wearing a ghost mask while using a chainsaw, PSP stated.

Pennsylvania State Police stated a call came for help around 3:30 p.m. on Monday for an active assault in the 200 block of Carbon Street in Lehighton Borough.

Once on the scene, troopers said they saw on video surveillance the victim, 59-year-old Edward Whitehead Jr. was struck with a chainsaw, and a knife to the head by a man later identified as Zak Russel Moyer, 30, of Lehighton.

PSP reported Moyer was wearing a mask and a black costume-like garment that was similar to one worn by killers in the Scream movies. Moyer was later located at a different home on Carbon Street and state police surrounded the house.

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Troopers stated they began communicating with Moyer using a notebook which eventually led to Moyer surrendering himself to state police.

“The suspect’s house had a perimeter set up around it, and through successful negotiations, the suspect exited and was taken into custody without incident,”  Trooper Anthony Petroski, stated.

Moyer told police that he intended to murder the victim because of crimes he believed the victim to have committed, as stated in the affidavit.

Whitehead was transported to St. Luke’s Carbon Campus where he later died from his injuries.

“Well, it was very sad. I just don’t understand the world we live in right now. It’s kinda scary,” said a concerned resident.

Moyer has been charged with criminal homicide for his alleged involvement and he remains in the Carbon County Correctional Facility.

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