Quantcast
Channel: Local – NBC10 Philadelphia
Viewing all 60435 articles
Browse latest View live

Body May Indicate NJ Serial Killer

0
0

Authorities believe the 20-year-old New Jersey man accused of killing a college student and another woman in the last few months may be linked to a third slaying, and investigators are actively looking at him as a possible serial killer, law enforcement sources familiar with the probe tell NBC 4 New York.

The sources say Khalil Wheeler-Weaver is being investigated in the death of a missing 19-year-old Philadelphia escort whose burned body was discovered in an abandoned building in Orange, New Jersey. Though she has not been publicly identified, she was living at the Garden State Motel in Union Township when she disappeared, the sources say. She vanished in September.

It wasn't clear what investigators believed tied Wheeler-Weaver to the case, but the body of at least one of the other women he's accused of killing was found under similar circumstances.

He has not been charged with killing the 19-year-old woman. His attorney, Shevelle McPherson, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on a possible connection to the case.

On Tuesday, Wheeler-Weaver pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the death of 33-year-old Joanne Brown, who was last seen Oct. 22 in Orange and whose body was found in a vacant house in Newark on Dec. 5.

He has also pleaded not guilty to murder and other crimes in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Butler, a sophomore at New Jersey City University who was reported missing Nov. 23. The Montclair woman's body was found eight days later on the Eagle Rock Reservation.
  
Investigators said Butler and Brown didn't appear to know each other, but both were killed in the same manner: strangulation and asphyxiation. Police have not revealed potential motives in the slayings. 

Wheeler-Weaver remains jailed on $5 million bail. 

Butler's sister told NBC 4 New York Tuesday, before news broke of the possible connection to the third slaying, that she wasn't surprised Wheeler-Weaver had been accused of more deadly violence — but she did say she was stunned.

"Usually I just hear about this in movies," Aliyah Butler said. "I didn't think that things like this and people actually happened in the real world." 

"Now I'm wondering how many girls he's hurt like this," she said. "I'm just hoping the number isn't large because what he did to my sister was terrible."

Asked whether they believe the deaths are the work of a serial killer, acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said Tuesday, "I'm not gonna comment on that."

McPherson insists her client is innocent and that prosecutors don't have enough evidence to connect him to the deaths of Brown and Butler.

She said Tuesday the evidence she has seen is "very circumstantial."

"They're trying to accuse him of this [second] crime, because manner of deaths are similar," she said. "If they're gonna try to secure a conviction based on manner of death, they're gonna have to come up with more than that."

NBC 4 New York has learned Wheeler-Weaver comes from a family that includes at least two law enforcement officers -- one a cop in East Orange who lives in his home and another who works for the Newark Police Department. 

Wheeler-Weaver was most recently employed as a security guard for Sterling Security, a firm owned by two former Newark police officers. In that capacity, he worked at a Shoprite in Union Township.

The security firm didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.



Photo Credit: NBC 4 NY

Missing Montco Teen Dead in Woods, Mom Person of Interest

0
0

A dismembered body found by hunters in the woods of rural Pennsylvania this October has been identified as an Abington Township teenager who went missing in July, authorities said Thursday.

Officials also announced that the adoptive mother of Grace Packer, 14 at the time she vanished, is a person of interest in her disappearance. The woman, Sara Packer, has been charged with child endangerment and obstruction of an investigation, district attorneys from three counties announced at a news conference.

Investigators said it took more than two months for the mother to provide photos of the girl to police. They also said the woman lied about telling other family about the girl's disappearance, according to a criminal affidavit.

[[407969435, C]]

"Sadly, what was a missing persons case has now evolved into a homicide," said Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub. "Grace Packer was murdered and we will use all of our joint investigative resources to bring Grace's killer to justice."

Weintraub was joined by Montgomery County DA Kevin Steele and Luzerne County DA Stefanie Salavantis as the new developments were announced Thursday afternoon.

Hunters initially only found a human head and torso near the Francis Walter Dam in Luzerne County on Halloween, Salavantis said. Search dogs later found the legs and arms. Dental records connected through the national missing persons database helped identify Grace, Salavantis said.

Due to the ongoing investigation, prosecutors didn't reveal how Grace died.

[[407968415, C,600,439]]

Inconsistencies Over the Girl's Disappearance

Grace was last seen alive on July 4th at a family picnic, the girl's father and older brother told detectives.

The girl's mother, 41-year-old Sara Packer, who described the teen as "overly stubborn," said the two had an argument on Friday, July 8 about going to a friend's house, according to court documents. Sara Parker ended the tiff by sending the teen to her room, she said.

The next day, Saturday, July 9, the mother told investigators Grace was nowhere to be found when she went to check on her. Sara also said $300 in cash was taken from the Tennis Avenue home.

Sara reported the teen missing to Abington Township police the following day. A day later, on July 12, a detective began working the case, police said. She spoke with Sara, who promised to drop off photos of the teen at the police department, but then there was radio silence.

For two months, the detective tried to connect with Sara, but heard nothing back. When the investigator went to the family's home on September 7th, she learned they had moved, court documents show.

Grace's 12-year-old brother had also been withdrawn from school and a forwarding address was not given.

The girl's mother made contact with the detective later that day apologizing for not telling her about her move to Quakertown, Bucks County. A letter containing Grace's photos arrived at the Abington Township Police Department the next day, documents show.

[[407977845, C,600,450]]

Over the following weeks, police made contact with other family members who said they had only recently been told Grace was missing -- contrary to what the mother had told detectives.

A typed letter from March was discovered in Grace's school file saying she was "'sorry' for being a burden" and that she was planning to leave, according to court documents. Detectives later determined the text was not consistent with a 14-year-old's writing style.

Investigators also spoke to Grace's friend, whose home she supposedly wanted to visit the day she and her mother had their fight. The girl and her mother said there were no plans to have Grace come over.

While the search for Grace carried on, police said Sara continued to collect a  $712 a month Social Security check in the girl's name -- failing to notify the agency that she was missing. Since the girl's disappearance, the mother spent $3,616.03 of the funds, court documents state.

The Investigation Continues

On Thursday, prosecutors named Sara Packer a person of interest in Grace's homicide.

"While no one has been charged at this time with causing Grace's death, charges have been filed against her mother, Sara Packer, in connection with Grace's disappearance," Weintraub said.

Sara Packer was charged last month with endangering the welfare of a child and obstruction of justice but has not been charged in her daughter's death. She remained behind bars in Montgomery County Thursday unable to post bail, according to court records.

Sources tell NBC10 Sara Packer worked for Youth and Child Services in Northampton County for some time. Her role with the organization was not immediately clear as well as her employment status when her daughter went missing.

Bucks County has taken the lead on the investigation. They asked anyone who spotted Grace and her mother together in June and July to contact them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bucks County Detectives at (215) 945-3100.



Photo Credit: Bucks County District Attorney's Office
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Top Philadelphia-Area School Christmas Choirs

0
0

Children from around the Philadelphia region sang their hearts out this holiday season for a place in 101.1 More FM's Christmas Choir competition.

More FM unveiled the top choirs in the Kindergarten to 8th Grade and High School categories.

The North Penn High School Chamber singers from the Lansdale, Montgomery County school took home first place and got to perform with the Philly POPS after entering their rendition of "The Christmas Song."

2nd Place: Council Rock High School North

3rd Place: Council Rock High School South

In the K-8th competition, Clearview Regional Middle School in Mullica Hill won for its rendition of "O Holy Night."

2nd Place: Samuel S. Yellin School

3rd Place: Tabernacle Elementary School

The top choir in each category will get a cash prize up to $5,000, according to the radio station.

Happy holidays!

Princeton Men's Swim Team Done For Year

0
0

Princeton University has canceled the rest of the men's swimming and diving team's season after administrators discovered that members had posted "vulgar and offensive" material on the team's electronic mailing list. 

The school announced Thursday that Athletic Director Mollie Marcoux Samaan has told the team that it won't compete in meets scheduled against Navy on Jan. 7 and Harvard and Yale on Feb. 5. They also won't compete in the Ivy League championship in February. 

The suspension was first announced last week. It came after an anonymous complaint alerted university officials to several materials, including the school-sponsored team mailing list and other electronic correspondence. 

The university says the "misogynistic and racist" comments involved the women's swimming and diving team. 

The suspension is the third for an Ivy League team since November.



Photo Credit: Associated Press

Baptisms, Bible Study: Religious Vibes in Eagles Locker Room

0
0

Former NFL quarterback Steve Stenstrom, who runs an annual faith-based conference of professional football players, has long been impressed with Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins' strong religious beliefs.

Stenstrom is also familiar with other Eagles like special teamer Chris Maragos, who writes for The Increase. It's a website for the Christian organization where Stenstrom is president, called Pro Athletes Outreach.

The Eagles' team chaplain, the Rev. Theodore Winsley, also writes monthly for The Increase, which is named for a verse from the Bible. "He must increase, but I must decrease," John 3:30 reads across the site's masthead.

The relationship between Eagles players and Stenstrom's faith-based organization is one thread of many that helps explain the strong religious vibe coursing through the team this season.

An ESPN story this week highlights -- among many Eagles players' proclivities for worshiping God -- backup quarterback Chase Daniel's well-attended Bible study groups.

Earlier in the season, the Allentown Morning-Call in September reported tight end Trey Burton performing baptisms of five teammates. Burton told the paper that, after suffering a leg injury, he "had a couple guys lay their hands on me and pray on me and I was instantly better and good to go. Instantly."

[[407967445, C]]

Success on the field was fleeting this year for Philadelphia's football franchise -- the team is last in the NFC East with a 5-9 record. But judging by religious faith, they are one of the most prominent groups in the league.

"A healthier faith climate includes champions of the faith in the locker room, a great chaplain available to the team, and bible studies that include a couples study, a women's study, a men's study," Stenstrom said in an interview Thursday. "When those elements are in place, teams tend to have a very strong faith community. The Eagles are in the upper 20 percent of the league."

Stenstrom, 44, played quarterback for the Stanford University Cardinal in the early 1990s before spending time on five NFL teams across five seasons.

He said certain locker rooms, like the Eagles this year, become perfect environments for fostering religious faith because of a few variables.

"Just as the Eagles are experiencing that this year, lots of teams experience it. There is time, time to talk about life," Stenstrom said of the close proximity and long days teammates spend together.

He also noted that common among athletes who have reached the pinnacle of their sport is a belief that "something happened in their lives that, though they worked hard, there were also blessings along the way that allowed them to get there."

It's not just Eagles players who have formed bonds with each other and with God. Players' wives like Serah Maragos are also a part of the outpouring of religiosity.

"I have felt compelled to share what life really is and not just what things 'appear' to be. Whether it be good, bad, or ugly," Serah Maragos wrote on TheIncreaseWomen.com, an offshoot of The Increase. "We all know those Instagram pics that are perfectly posed (don’t worry I have done it too, sadly) when the reality is that after that picture is snapped it goes back to the chaotic reality. I have felt the call to be a voice assuring you that you’re not alone."

Eagles fans will probably appreciate the effect that faith and Bible study has had the longterm future of their franchise.

Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, told ESPN that the religious bond has grounded him.

"It's just a better atmosphere. On Sundays, we might lose, things might not always go our way, but to be with those guys and to have a positive environment in this locker room -- not just the Christian brothers, but everybody -- it just brings out a better atmosphere," Wentz told the website. "I enjoy coming to work. I always have, but [it's] just a whole other level now."



Photo Credit: Chris Szagola/AP
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

NBC10 First Alert Weather: Holiday Forecast

0
0

Warm air is heading our way, but will it stay dry over the weekend? NBC10 First Alert Chief Meteorologist Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz has the update on what to expect for the holiday weekend.

Man Targets NJ Professional Offices in Credit Card Stealing Spree

0
0

Investigators say that one man has committed at least 15 thefts throughout New Jersey over the past few months. The credit card stealing spree has cost people thousands of dollars. NBC10 Jersey Shore Bureau Reporter Ted Greenberg found out what you need to look out for.

Customers Flood Stores for Holiday Preparations

0
0

Time is running out to get your traditional Christmas feast. NBC10’s Randy Gyllenhaal visited one Roxborough deli that offers up trays of holiday hoagies to serve at the dinner table.

Fans Tailgate Thursday Night Showdown

0
0

Eagles and Giants fans filled the parking lots of the Lincoln Financial Field for a long day of tailgating on Thursday. NBC10’s Tim Furlong spoke to excited fans outside the Linc.

Photo Credit: NBC10

NBC10 First Alert Weather: Rain for the Holidays?

0
0

Rain is on the way for the start of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve, but warm air will also be on tap. NBC10 First Alert Weather Chief Meterologist Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz has your exclusive forecast.

Community Decorates House to Bring Holiday Cheer to Family With Sick Child

0
0

Charley Radcliffe's mom and dad have been shuttling back and forth between their West Chester home and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for the past 100 days. The young girl has been battling a rare form of cancer. The fight has left little time for anything else including decorating the family's home for Christmas -- something Charley's brother really wanted this year. After hearing that there was no time for the Radcliffe's to decorate, the family's neighbors came together to deck the house out in holiday cheer. Santa even came along to donate toys to the hospital.

Rain Saturday, Sunny Christmas

0
0

We are expecting a clear day with no precipitation and cool temperatures throughout the area. Expect high 40’s and some rain Saturday, but it will be a sunny 50 degree Christmas day.

One Dead, Several Displaced in Montco Fire

0
0

Officials said one person was killed and nearly 20 were displaced by an apartment fire in Pottstown overnight. 

That adult victim was found in a room on the second floor according to Fire Chief Richard Lengel.

Several other people escaped the flames, including Carlos Ortiz, who told NBC10's Matt DeLucia he and his girlfriend saw the smoke whils they were still inside. "It was just crazy. We got the little ones out, rushed out of there as fast as possible," he said.

The American Red Cross of Eastern Pennsylvania said it was assisting six families with 17 people after the fire that broke out around 1:30 a.m. along the 400 block of High Street. 

Fire investigators were still looking into the cause of the fire.



Photo Credit: NBC10 Pete Kane

Starbucks Offers Free Drinks at Select Philly-Area Stores

0
0

Starbucks aims to drum up holiday sales with promises of free espresso drinks this season — as long as you're in the right store. 

Starting Friday, select Starbucks stores will host 1,000 Pop Up Cheer Parties over 10 days, where customers can enjoy free tall handcrafted espresso beverages, from mochas to chestnut praline lattes. The event will be held at 100 Starbucks stores in the U.S. for 10 straight days, including 2 Starbucks stores in the greater Philadelphia area, from 1-2 p.m.

Locations will change daily and will be listed on starbucks.com/cheer and Twitter with the hashtags #FindCheer #10daysofcheer.

For the first day Friday, Dec. 23, the following Philadelphia area stores were chosen, according to the website:

Pennsylvania:

Suburban Square

41 St. James Place; Ardmore, PA 19003 

New Jersey:

Ramblewood

550 Fellowship Road; Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

There were no locations selected in Delaware Friday, according to the website.

Customers also can visit participating Starbucks stores to receive a "cheer card" that will provide 50 percent off select holiday beverages and lunch items, as well as a free holiday cookie or specialty dessert with purchase.



Photo Credit: Starbucks

Air Travel Tips For the Holidays

0
0

Traveling by air for the holidays? The Philadelphia International Airport has a few tips for air travelers (via Twitter).

Some general pointers include checking your flight status with your carrier prior to getting to the airport.

They also recommend arriving at least two hours earlier than your departure time to allow yourself to park, check in, and go through security screenings.

To avoid any inconveniences at the TSA line, the Philly airport released a list of acceptable and inacceptable items.

Lastly, the aiport has tips for holiday travelers flying out of Philadelphia.

"If you're parking at the Airport, check space availability in each garage at phl.org," they suggest. "If you see something, say something, tell a police officer or call 3111 from a white courtesy phone. Safety is everyone's business."



Photo Credit: Getty Images
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

'Christmas On the Avenue'

0
0

A free event today will feature entertainment, a free dinner and a toy giveaway with hopes to make the holiday better for less fortunate children in Philadelphia. Community service leader Mont Brown is in the NBC10 studios to tell us more about “Christmas On the Avenue.”

Philabundance Community Kitchen

0
0

NBC10's Tracy Davidson speaks with Shontae Graham about Philabundance's Community Kitchen and how it helps give folks job skills to get a second chance in the work force.

UPS Driver Grazed by Bullet in During Chester Delivery

0
0

A UPS driver escaped serious harm when he was grazed by a bullet while making Christmas deliveries in Chester on Friday.

The driver, who's been with the shipping company for 13 years, was hit in the shoulder near 10th Street and Highland Avenue around 1:30 p.m., city officials said.

Chester City spokeswoman Aigner Cleveland said the apparent shooter stepped in front of the truck as traveling along Highland Avenue. The driver stopped and let the man pass. The shooting happened as the truck continued on.

It took a moment for the driver to realize he had been shot, Cleveland said, with him attributing the loud bang with the sound of the truck.

Police said two gunshots were fired and that the shooting did not appear to be random.

After the shooting, the UPS driver and his delivery helper sped off to the nearby Murphy Ford Dealership.

In a lucky twist, an EMT was getting his car serviced at the dealership when the injured driver showed up. The medic was able to offer immediate first aid, police said. He was then taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A UPS representative said they were grateful the driver and helper escaped serious injury. The company is cooperating with police.

A description of the suspect was not immediately available as was a motive.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Memorial Planned for Murdered Montco Teen Grace Packer

0
0

A group of people who never met 14-year-old Grace Packer are pulling together memorials in the girl's honor after learning of her murder.

New Life Church in Glenside will host a memorial service for the teen on Monday, January 16, 2017 at 1 p.m., according to an online event posting.

Andrea Green-Adams is helping to put the memorial together which has been named Abington Loves Grace. Green-Adams didn't know the teen, but as a mother of a 14-year-old son said she was heartbroken to learn about Packer's tragic death and felt compelled to act.

"I couldn't just let that be the end of her story," she said. A second event is also being discussed.

Packer went missing from Abington Township in July following an apparent argument with her adoptive mother, Sara Packer. Hunters stumbled upon parts of her body in the woods of Luzerne County on Halloween. Prosecutors made her death public on Thursday and announced the mother was a person of interest in the case.

Sara Packer was already charged in connection with the girl's disappearance. Investigators said she hindered their missing person's investigation by delaying providing photos of the girl and lying about telling other family Grace was missing.

The mother, who was being held on bail, left the county jail on Friday. She, her attorney and Grace's family has not commented on the arrest or the girl's death.

Green-Adams set up a public Facebook group, In Memory of Grace Packer, for other members of the community to share thoughts about the the teen and help coordinate events.

"I did not know Grace, but the beautiful stories, memories, and anecdotes shared by those who did know her have taught me a great deal," John Spiegelman, a father, wrote in a lengthy post.

Jackie Horst, a mother who said her son was a close friend of Grace, posted photos of notes the teens wrote and flowers he got her.

"Grace was my son's best and only real friend last year. They rode the bus together, ate lunch together and talked on the phone or online," Horst wrote in one post. The text accompanied a photo of the wall of her son's bedroom that had Grace's name written on it.

"I couldn't wait to fix this spot on his wall but now I think we will leave it just the way it is," she said.



Photo Credit: Bucks County District Attorney's Office

Crowds Pack Into Area Malls for Last-Minute Shopping

0
0

The King of Prussia Mall was packed full of shoppers on Friday, all getting in on some last-minute shopping. NBC10's Mitch Blacher talked to some shoppers to see who they were buying for, and what they were looking for.
Viewing all 60435 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images