LEHIGH COUNTY, PA (TCD) — A 33-year-old man was indicted on murder charges for allegedly killing his roommate on the victim's birthday, dismembering her and scattering her body in various places nearby.
David Hittinger was reported missing to Pennsylvania State Police on Monday, May 13, according to a news release from the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office. The person who reported him missing said he had not seen Hittinger since 7 p.m. on May 11. State police were contacted. He opened an investigation with the Lehigh Valley District Attorney's Office.
WFMZ-TV reported that Hittinger was supposed to have a gathering with friends on May 11 but did not show up. “It was his birthday, so we planned to meet him, but he didn't, and that raised concerns,” said Deputy District Attorney Gavin Holihan.
The District Attorney's Office said investigators executed a search warrant at Joshua Moser's home on West Franklin Street on May 14 after learning that Hettinger had recently moved into the home.
There, they reportedly found evidence of blood, hair and skin in the basement and bathtub. Detectives served another search warrant the next day and found saws, cutters, bloody clothing and other items of evidentiary value.
That same day, May 15, Moser was arrested in Monroe County on an unrelated parole violation charge. Detectives also reportedly found some of Hittinger's remains stuffed into several garbage bags at a cemetery in Slatington. On May 16, officials discovered additional body parts on the trail and in the quarry.
“Coroners are conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death,” the coroner’s office said in a statement.
According to an affidavit cited by Lehigh Valley Live, Moser told investigators that he strangled Hittinger and then hit him in the head with a hammer during the argument. Hittinger was staying in Moser's basement because his house had recently caught fire.
Moser was charged in Lehigh County with murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. He is being held without bail.
WFMZ reported that Moser was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison for killing a 24-year-old while drunk driving in 2017. He was released from prison on June 16, 2020, according to Pennsylvania Department of Corrections records.
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