A man dressed in a “Scream” costume killed his neighbor Monday in Lehighton and then went back home to watch a movie, according to police.
State police said Zak Russel Moyer, 30, intended to kill his neighbor, Edward Whitehead Jr., 59, because of crimes he believed Whitehead committed.
Moyer is charged with one count of homicide. He was sent to Carbon County jail without bail.
Police responded about 3:30 p.m. Monday to the 200 block of Carbon Street for a report of an assault. Whitehead was hit with a knife and a chainsaw, according to court documents. He was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital-Carbon, where he died from his injuries.
Investigators searched surveillance footage and saw a man dressed in a “Scream” costume enter the rear of Whitehead’s home, authorities said. A “Scream” costume is a black hooded costume with a white ghost mask. It is featured in the horror movie series of the same name.
After canvassing the area, police tracked that person, later identified as Moyer, to his home, court documents state.
Moyer told officers that he believed Whitehead was behind certain recent crimes, police said. He surrendered to police without incident.
Moyer told police initially he went to the home to scare Whitehead, court documents state. He went there with a knife and a small chainsaw, according to authorities.
When questioned again, Moyer admitted he went there to kill Whitehead because of the crimes he believed were committed, police said. He told police he stabbed Whitehead with a knife, then returned to his home, where he hid the chainsaw and knife, court documents state. He watched a movie until authorities arrived, police said.
Moyer was arraigned Tuesday morning. He did not have an attorney listed for him.
Man charged in Lehighton homicide; police say he assaulted man with a ‘piercing object’ [Updated]
