Special - Occult Crimes - Interesting Read

1981 New Castle, PA Frank Costal of New Castle was arrested for the Murder and mutilation of Kathy Kadunce, 25, and Dawn 4. The victims were each stabbed 17 times as part of the ritualistic sacrifice. Although Costal's defense attn. called the trial a "modern day witch hunt", it was the testimony of Costal's friends that ultimatley convicted him. Micheal Atkinson, Costals gay lover was a key witness and had been charged in the murders a month earlier. Costal recieved life imprisonment. (AP)

http://usminc.org/crime3.html

******* another interesting post I found on this subject ********

Pittsbughgirl-
You said you have done some research on the so-called "Pennsylvania Strangler", so you may be interested in exploring a little more.

I have been looking into the unsolved homicide of my step-father's daughter in New Castle, PA which occurred in 1975. One of the prime suspects in the murder is currently serving life in prison at SCI Greene for the 1978 double homicide of a young mother and her four year old daughter. My step father's daughter was four years old and was murdered along with her babysitter. The two murders occurred just a few miles from each other (yeah, I know, I asked the State Police why, back in 1980 when they arrested Atkinson, they didn't explore the possibility that the crazy satan worshippers might have something to do with the OTHER senseless murder of a four year old and a grown woman in a very small town, but they just kind of blew me off).

The 1978 murder victims were Kathy & Dawn Kadunce. The case was tried as a satanic ritual homicide and one of the perpetrators considered himself a high priest of satan (Frank Costal). Lots of press coverage, so if you ever look at newspapers from the past you should have no trouble reading up on it. I belong to newspapers archives.com and have gotten lots of info, but the New Castle News is only on-line up to 1977 so the coverage I have found is not as detailed as I would like.

Both homicides were done in a "group" and there seems to be some confusion among police as to who exactly was present. Michael Atkinson testified in the Kadunce trial (January 1981) and he changed his story numerous times. One of the men Atkinson claims was present at the Kadunce homicide allegedly committed suicide 3 months prior to Atkinson's arrest, leaving a type-written note before putting a bullet in his head. It is interesting to note that the victims of all the "satanic" homicides got a bullet in the head. Atkinson also claimed the husband, Larry Kadunce, was at the homicdes. Kadunce was arrested after Atkinson went to prison and was acquitted of the murders one year later. Kadunce still lives in the area.

Considering that Roberta Elam was a nun and Susan Rush was devoutly religious, I have been doing research to the best of my ability (I am out of state) trying to find any possible connection with Atkinson and his group of friends. I figured perhaps the psycho satan worshippers might get off on killing a nun. There is no evidence at all that there is any connection. However, Atkinson is a convicted rapist and a multiple murderer. He was also convicted of the murder of his landlady Rose Puz in January 1980.

Most likely, it is just a coincidence that a homicidal psychopath (that is how Atkinson is repeatedly described to me by police, lawyers, and anyone who knew him) lived in Ellwood City during the time that all these women were killed. It may also be a coincidence that this psychopath hung out with a group of guys who considered themselves satan worshippers and who committed horrible crimes, including but not limited to, violent rape and murder. It has been noted that the DNA from victim to victim excludes only one man committing all these crimes. Now police have proven that Elam and Rush were committed by the same guy.

Michael Atkinson was and is a dangerous, troubled, violent man. He also was convicted of many crimes but was ALWAYS WITH OTHER GUYS who helped him commit them. Consider this about Atkinson:

• He was convicted of various arson charges in 1972 (I can find no details, just the docket entry of the courts)
• He is strongly believed to have committed the violent double homicide of a four year old girl and her babysitter in November 1975
• He was convicted of a rape he committed with another man in September 1978
• He was convicted of the July 1978 double homicide of Kathy Kadunce and her four year old daughter Dawn
• He was convicted of the murder of 83 year old Rose Puz, his landlady, in January 1980. I believe she was strangled, but I am not 100% certain. She was also set on fire.

I find it odd and very difficult to believe he went from arson to double homicide with nothing in between from 1972 to 1975, then again nothing until July 1978, followed by a rape in September 1978, and murder again in January 1979. I think the police are missing a few pieces.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?s=ee48a34667bdac48e904a77f8d278234&p=3394172&postcount=23

Special - Unsolved Murders - Interesting Reads

While homicide detectives in Ohio stalked the Cleveland "torso killer" through the latter 1930s, they were periodically distracted by reports of unsolved slayings from the area of New Castle and West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. No solid link between the crime sprees was established, but coincidence of timing, the proximity of common railway lines, and the unanimous decapitation of victims in both states have produced some tantalizing theories. No two reports agree upon the number of New Castle victims, and several accounts make surprisingly detailed reference to non-existent crimes. A retrospective survey in the local paper, published in December 1971, refers to eleven victims slain between 1921 and 1940, but a detailed review of newspaper records reveals only five murders, spanning a period of fourteen years.

The first victim, a young man, was found in a marshy area between New Castle and West Pittsburgh - later dubbed the "murder swamp" - on October 6, 1925. Nude on discovery, the man had been dead at least three weeks when he was found, and discovery of his severed head on October 8 provided no clue to his identity. As with the other Pennsylvania victims, he remains unidentified.

On October 17, 1925, a headless male skeleton was found in the swamp. The matching skull was unearthed two days later, along with that of a woman, killed at least a year earlier. Neither victim was identified by authorities, and no trace of the woman's body was ever found.

The local "headless murders" were a fading memory by July 1, 1936, when a man's decapitated body turned up on a slag dump of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad, at New Castle Junction. The victim's head was never found, and he remains anonymous. Newspapers spread beneath the body included issues from Pittsburgh and Cleveland, dating from July 1933.

On October 13, 1939, another headless, decomposing man was fished out of the swamp near West Pittsburgh. Charred newspapers surrounding the body included month-old copies from Youngstown, Ohio, and the victim's head was found nearby, in an abandoned box car, five days later.

Were the Pennsylvania crimes and Cleveland's murder spree connected? Did Ohio's "Mad Butcher" first try his hand in New Castle, taking a decade off before he resumed activities in Cleveland? Detective Peter Merylo, stalking the headhunter into retirement, blamed one man for both sets of murders, plus 20 to 30 more kills, nationwide. The final truth has managed to elude police for over half a century, and it may well lie buried in the Pennsylvania "murder swamp."

http://www.skcentral.com/articles.php?article_id=488

Alleged hookers busted in the city

Two women face prostitution charges in connection with an undercover operation on New Castle’s South Side.

City police said they have received a high volume of complaints from neighborhood residents. And within 30 minutes Monday morning, two women had been arrested.

Stacy Kirkwood, 38, of 602 Gardner Center Road was charged with prostitution, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She remains in Lawrence County jail on $1,000 bond. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Brandy Lynn Bartley, 30, of 5393 Erie St., Edinburg, was charged with prostitution and released from custody. Bartley’s preliminary hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Sept. 10.

Kirkwood reportedly approached an undercover officer stationed in the Lutton Street area at 2 a.m. Monday.

“Kirkwood asked (the officer) what he was looking for, and he stated he was looking to get some (oral sex),” a police report about the incident noted. “(The officer) asked how much for oral sex and (intercourse), and she stated ‘Both will cost you $30.’ ”

The officer agreed to the price and drove Kirkwood to the “designated take down point.”

When Kirkwood realized two police officers were following, the report said, she told the undercover agent to stop and jumped out of the vehicle. Kirkwood was arrested as she attempted to reach the Columbus Innerbelt.

Police said suspected crack cocaine was found in her purse.

The undercover officer then headed to the area of Home and Mill streets, where Bartley reportedly approached him.

Bartley allegedly told the officer that it would cost him $40 for the same services Kirkwood reportedly had offered for $30.

“(The officer) stated he only had $32 on him,” according to the report. “Bartley stated she would do it for that.”

Shortly afterward, she was taken into custody and charged.

http://www.ncnewsmedia.com/archive/2009/08August/Alleged_Hookers/story1.htm

Man allegedly assaults girl, 10

Man allegedly assaults girl, 10


New Castle News

An Aliquippa man faces an indecent assault charge involving a 10-year-old Ellwood City girl.

Joshua Freeman, 22, of 1404 Green St., Aliquippa, is scheduled a preliminary hearing on the charge at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30 in Lawrence County Central Court.

According to the documents filed by Ellwood police with District Judge Jerry G. Cartwright, the alleged incident took place in July at a home in the 200 block of First Street, where the girl was watching movies with a group of people that included Freeman and his girlfriend.

Acccording to police, the girl went into the kitchen to get a snack, and Freeman followed her, eventually kissing her and trying to put his hand into her pants.

The girl rebuffed him and he left the room, police said, but at a later date, Freeman again made advances toward the girl.

She and her mother reported the alleged incidents to police Aug. 7.

When questioned by police, Freeman allegedly told investigators that the girl had propositioned him and asked if she could be his girlfiend.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_240141527.html

Woman faces computer charges

New Castle News

A New Castle woman faces multiple computer crimes charges stemming from altered files at a Neshannock Township business.

The business, which Neshannock Township police did not name, reported July 30 that someone had gained unauthorized access to its computerized files and altered them.

After serving a search warrant, police said, investigators discovered that the computer that had been used to remotely access the files was located at the 224 E. Laurel Ave. home of Beth A. Edgerton. According to police, investigators subsequently determined that the 30-year-old woman had been involved in accessing the files.

Edgerton is charged with third-degree felony counts of unlawful use of a computer, computer theft and computer trespass.

The charges were filed Wednesday with District Judge Scott A. McGrath.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_240141402.html

DeRosa arraignment moved again

New Castle News

Nicholas DeRosa’s arraignment in a mortgage fraud case has been moved a second time.

A federal grand jury indicted the retired New Castle school administrator on one count of bank fraud, two counts of mail fraud and one count of money laundering conspiracy. The charges, announced July 14, are the result of an investigation involving Affordable Housing of Lawrence County and First Commonwealth Bank.

DeRosa was scheduled to appear in court this morning in downtown Pittsburgh. His new arraignment is set for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 1 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert C. Mitchell.

A potential conflict of interest arose between DeRosa and his attorney, Efrem M. Grail of Reed Smith LLP in Pittsburgh. Grail is being considered for the appointment of U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

A replacement for current U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan has not been named.

In paperwork filed Aug. 27, Grail said DeRosa wishes to retain him as counsel.

Despite the government’s objection to Grail’s motion, U.S. Magistrate Amy Reynolds Hay approved the request.

http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_243095825.html

Employee steals lottery tickets

Thursday, August 27, 2009

By Len Barcousky, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cranberry convenience store owner Nasser Elyaderani said he had to get a home equity loan to stay in business following the theft of more than $70,000 in lottery tickets.

A former employee, David Gerbrosky, of Ellwood City, pleaded guilty to one count of theft and has been ordered to repay $69,472 to Mr. Elyaderani's business, Freedom Market, and $5,000 to the store's insurance carrier. The business is located at the intersection of Powell and Freedom roads in Cranberry.

Following his guilty plea in July, Mr. Gerbrosky was sentenced on Aug. 12 by Butler County Judge William Shaffer to 90 to 180 days in the county jail and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

As part of his plea agreement, however, he was granted parole. According to court records, he has made a $2,000 initial restitution payment.

Cranberry police brought charges in July 2008 after Mr. Elyaderani provided them with a security video showing Mr. Gerbrosky taking lottery tickets.

Mr. Elyaderani said he wanted to remind other convenience store operators and business owners about the importance of keeping personal control over inventory that can be converted easily into cash. "The loss pushed us to the brink of bankruptcy," he said.

An immigrant from Iran, Mr. Elyaderani has operated Freedom Market for about two years.

He also advised business owners to review their insurance policies. He had what he believed to be $65,000 worth of theft coverage, but he discovered after the incident that most of his loss -- resulting from theft by an employee -- was not covered.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09239/993393-54.stm#ixzz0Prt9jiHY