According to reports, eight people were arrested in connection to the kidnapping, killing, and murder of a 19 year-old boy in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
Digital was informed by Pennsylvania State Police about seven people being charged with criminal homicide for Hayden Robert Garreffa’s death. Police say that Garreffa was a victim of a kidnapping. Garreffa died on Oct. 20, 2022.
Authorities said that the eighth defendant was a 14-year old female who was charged with juvenile kidnapping.
“While these individuals are charged with additional crimes today, the investigation is still on-going as to the particular conduct of each defendant,”Robert Manzi, Jr., Indiana District Attorney, stated this in a press statement by the Pennsylvania State Police. “I appreciate the hard work of the members of the Pennsylvania State Police and know that they will continue to gather the evidence necessary to bring justice for young Hayden.”
Digital has reached out to the district attorney’s office for comment and has not heard back.
State troopers discovered Garreffa’s body on Oct. 22 in a remote, wooded area of Brush Valley Township. Garreffa was declared a homicide after the Indiana County coroner concluded. WTAE reported.
Investigators claim that Garreffa was kidnapped Oct. 20th and then killed that day. WTAE reported Garreffa’s injuries were multiplely stabbed and beat in an autopsy.
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police arrested Desean Alvarez, 21; Isaac Buchkoski, 21; Mia Catalfano, 18; Taylyn Edwards, 18; Thomas Rivera, 20; Summer Settlemyer, 18, and 18-year-old Jesse Wadsworth, as well as the unnamed 14-year-old minor in connection with Garreffa’s kidnapping and death.
According to cops, the killing and kidnapping occurred after a dispute between one of the suspects. CBS News reported.
The victim’s cousin reportedly told police she witnessed the kidnapping. According to WTAE, she reportedly told her grandmother who called police.
According to WTAE, Garreffa’s grandmother told police that Garreffa had autism and would not leave his home without medication or his phone.
The Indiana County Jail holds the seven adults, while the minor is held in a juvenile detention facility.
Digital has reached out to the Indiana County Courts, who say that the defendants’ cases rest in the hands of a magistrate. The defendants may have entered a plea.
Digital has reached out to the magistrate’s office for comment and if the defendants have entered a plea and has not heard back.
Bail was denied to all defendants.
Digital is told by the Indiana Public Defender that they do not represent any defendants.
Digital did not list Wadsworth as an attorney in any criminal documents.
Digital reached out to Buchkoski, Rivera and Settlemyer attorneys but has not received a response.
An attorney for Alvarez told Digital via email, “as a policy, we never comment on ongoing cases.”
A phone number listed for Catalfano’s attorney did not pick up nor have an answering service.