Police: Brackenridge man strangles, threatens to kill woman during argument

A Brackenridge man charged with strangling a woman late Wednesday allegedly told her they both were going to die, according to a criminal complaint against him.

Brackenridge police charged Roy Bryan Cavitt, 63, with a felony count of strangulation, misdemeanor offenses of simple assault and making terroristic threats, and a summary charge of harassment.

Court records said the alleged victim reported around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday that Cavitt had threatened to kill her and then himself.

Police said the woman had red marks on both sides of her neck and complained of pain in her left knee. Officers said the woman told them she and Cavitt got into a heated argument, and when she decided to call 911, Cavitt grabbed the phone from her and threw her on the ground, twisting her knee.

The woman told police Cavitt grabbed her neck and said, “We both are going to die tonight.”

She said it became increasingly difficult for her to breathe as Cavitt squeezed harder, and she believed he was going to kill her.

The woman was able to get Cavitt off her, grab her phone and call 911.

Police said they arrested Cavitt without incident. He did not have an attorney listed in court records.

Cavitt’s bail was set at $15,000 during an arraignment Thursday morning, and he was being held in Allegheny County Jail. His preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 14 before District Judge Carolyn Bengel.