A man authorities expected to arrest in connection with the disappearance of a Ligonier woman died Thursday from self-inflicted knife wounds at their home in Ligonier Borough, according to Westmoreland County Chief Detective Ron Zona.

Roger A. Angelo Jr., 47, was found dead around 2 a.m. at the West Vincent Lane home, the same location authorities believe Amy R. Shipley, 45, died more than 10 days ago. Shipley’s remains were unearthed Tuesday from a 5-foot deep makeshift grave about 9 miles away at a property on Helens Lane in a rural area of Cook.

Others suspected of involvement in Shipley’s disappearance could also be the target of criminal prosecution. Witnesses told investigators Angelo was seen with relatives at the Helens Lane property shortly after Shipley’s disappearance.

“They were operating heavy machinery and they were burning items in a fire,” Zona said.

No charges were filed as of Thursday afternoon.

“The investigation is continuing, we are looking at everybody that was involved with the activity on that property and there may be additional charges in the future,” he said.

Shipley was last seen Sept. 8 near the home she shared with Angelo, authorities said. The two were in a relationship. She was reported missing to Ligonier Valley Police on the evening of Sept. 13. Westmoreland County detectives were asked for assistance Monday and authorities on Tuesday put out a plea seeking information on her whereabouts.

Later that day, Shipley’s remains were found buried at the Helens Lane property. A backhoe investigators said was used to dig the makeshift grave sat parked in the yard Wednesday afternoon. The property, which has a house on it, is vacant and owned by Angelo’s family, Zona said.

Authorities believe Shipley died Sunday at her home and was buried on the Helens Lane property and that Angelo expected to be arrested for his involvement, according to a statement from the district attorney’s office.

How she died remains under investigation. An autopsy was performed Wednesday but findings haven’t been released.

“We were waiting for that point before we made an arrest, although we did have a suspect, someone that we were prepared to arrest,” Zona said.

Shipley’s body was unearthed with the help of FBI Pittsburgh’s evidence response team and the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety also assisted with the investigation. Zona said county detectives and Ligonier Valley police worked on the case nonstop for almost two days.

“We do believe that she was transported by vehicle to the Cook Township location,” he said. “To dig a 5-foot hole and bury a body is obviously very unusual.”

Shipley had one son and was a grandmother. A family member who asked not to be identified described Shipley as a kind person who enjoyed spending time with family and riding motorcycles. She had a large group of friends and a passion for care giving.

“She was an amazing person, very loving,” the family member said.

Angelo had a criminal history dating back to the 1990s, according to online court records.

Several cases filed in that decade involve charges of theft, receiving stolen property and simple assault.

In 2004, he was sentenced to three to 15 years in a state prison and five years of probation in connection with a Derry Township case involving charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, a weapons violation and attempted robbery, court records show.

In 2013, Fayette County authorities charged him with weapons violations stemming from an incident in German Township, according to court records.

He was sentenced in 2014 to four to eight years in a state prison. He was released in September 2020 and remained on parole, records show.

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