A Pennsylvania man has been arrested on murder charges after breaking into his neighbor’s home and slaughtering him with a chainsaw dressed in a costume from the movie Scream, believing the victim had killed women and children a year ago, police say. police.
Zak Moyer, dressed in a terrifying all-black suit “consistent with the ‘Scream’ movie character Ghostface, allegedly struck his next-door neighbor, the elderly Edward Whitehead Junior, 59, “several times with a knife and a battery operated weapon. chainsaw,” state troopers said.
Court documents revealed that Moyer, 30, admitted to stabbing Whitehead in the head, before returning to his own home to watch a movie until police arrived. Police said the couple got into an argument that day.
According to the criminal complaint, Moyer admitted to hiding the chainsaw he used in the attic and hiding the knife in the drawer.
Police were called to the gruesome scene at 243 Carbon Street in the small eastern Pennsylvania town of Lehighton around 3:30 p.m. on Monday.
Edward Whitehead Junior, 59 (pictured), succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
Zak Moyer (pictured) dressed in a terrifying all-black suit ‘consistent with the ‘Scream’ movie character ‘Ghostface’
Footage of the arrest, shared on Facebook, showed Moyer in a red hoodie and gray sweatpants placing his hands on his head as several armed police officers slowly approached him.
Emergency responders took Whitehead to nearby St. Luke’s Carbon County Hospital after he suffered cuts to his right arm, the right side of his head above his eyebrow, wounds to his hands that were “consistent with defensive wounds” and “a lot of bleeding.” injury to the right side of the head,” according to the criminal complaint.
After getting a description of the man who attacked Whitehead, they ran back to Carbon Street, where they surrounded his home.
State Trooper Anthony Petroski said he and other state police officers were able to get Moyer out peacefully, telling local media: “There was communication between him and the troopers on the scene, and eventually he opened the door himself and walked out on his own.” account”. willpower.’
A neighbor told local media that Moyer placed a note in his window, intended for police, that read: “Ed murdered women and children.” Eddie Junior murdered women and children last summer.
Whitehead has never been charged with murder and police said they are not investigating the wild allegations.
Whitehead has never been charged with murder and police said they are not investigating the wild allegations.
Police were called to Carbon Street in Lehighton, Pennsylvania.
Footage of the arrest, shared on Facebook, showed Moyer in a red hoodie and gray sweatpants placing his hands on his head as several armed police officers slowly approached him to arrest the killer.
His mugshot showed he suffered a large bruise under his right eye.
Police interviewed Moyer’s sister, who said that a week before the murder, the 30-year-old admitted he wanted to kill Whitehead.
Other members of the Moyer family have become involved in the case, and the killer’s father, Francis, was arrested for stalking and accused of molesting the Whiteheads following his son’s arrest.
Police said they are still investigating and there is now no threat to the small town left reeling by the murder.
But neighbors were terrified by what happened this week.
One woman, who did not want to be identified by local media, said: “I feared for my grandchildren at that time because they told us all to stay inside the house and keep the doors closed.”
His family said they hope the world remembers his kindness, loving nature and distinctive laugh.
Jennifer (pictured) said: ‘You never knew if he was stressed. Frustrated when you were with him; He was just a rock to a lot of people.
“My granddaughter was walking home from school when the police came flying in. She was in third grade and she was petrified.”
Edward’s niece, Megan Bernosky, told local media: “Mind-blowing, I don’t think anyone really has it all figured out at this point.” What really happened and what happened has been horrible.”
Edward’s other niece, Jennifer Whitehead, added: “I just don’t know what kind of people in this world could do that.” That’s the sad thing.’
His family said they hope the world remembers his kindness, loving nature and distinctive laugh.
Jennifer said: ‘You never knew if he was stressed. Frustrated when you were with him; “He was just a rock to a lot of people, and I wish people could see that about him.”
Megan added: ‘I mean, I think it’s safe to say that we want absolute justice for our uncle. He deserves it. ‘
His obituary reads: ‘Edward E. Whitehead Jr., 59, of Carbon Street, Lehighton, was taken from us suddenly and tragically on Monday afternoon, March 25, 2024. He was the husband of Cindy L. (Schlier) Whitehead since August. 20, 1993.
Police are still investigating the murder and have said there is no threat to the local community.
But neighbors were terrified by what happened on Monday.
‘He worked in the maintenance department at Snyder Tire Co., Lehighton.
‘Born in Lehighton, he was the son of the late Edward E. Sr. and Diane (Gillespie) Whitehead.
‘He was a 1982 graduate of Panther Valley High School and later served in the peacetime Navy, achieving the rank of MR2.
‘Edward attended Meed United Methodist Church, Nesquehoning. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially on Broad Mountain, Carbon County.
‘Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Edward E. III and Dennis C., both at home; two sisters, Diane, wife of Glen Schnell of Lehighton, and Sherry Whitehead, and her fiancé, Todd Schaffer, of Slatington; a brother Wayne of Hometown; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
“He was also predeceased by his brother Walter.”
Zak Moyer is currently being held without bond at the Carbon County Jail and is due in court on April 3.