Man indicted on federal kidnapping charges in connection with Bethel Park woman's death
An Oakmont native has been federally indicted in connection with the death of a Bethel Park woman.
Authorities charged John Matthew Chapman, 39, with felony kidnapping resulting in death, according to federal documents filed Tuesday.
He is accused of taking Jaime Feden, 33, on a trip to Nevada last September. Chapman allegedly told her they were going on vacation.
Chapman, an Oakland, Md., resident, told police he bound Feden to a signpost and taped her nose and mouth until she was unable to breathe in the Nevada desert, according to a criminal complaint.
Remains that were identified as Feden’s were found in Lincoln County, Nev., about 170 miles north of Las Vegas.
Feden was a 4-foot-tall, 70-pound woman who suffered from VATER syndrome, which among other things limited her mental capacity, the criminal complaint read.
Federal prosecutors said Chapman admitted to killing Feden “for her money.”
Chapman faces up to life in prison if convicted of the crime.
He remains in federal custody in Las Vegas awaiting a court appearance later this month.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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