Officials probe death of Hempfield man found over embankment behind his home
A 76-year-old man who hadn’t been seen in three days was found dead Friday afternoon over an embankment behind his Hempfield home.
Foul play isn’t suspected, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha. He said the man’s name wouldn’t be released, pending notification of next of kin, and the cause and manner of death are yet to be determined, pending an autopsy.
The man’s body was found by neighbors at his property along Waycross Road, off Route 819, Bacha said, noting the man had last been seen by neighbors on Tuesday.
He said the man was found a few hundred yards behind his house, in an area covered by woods and brush.
Emergency crews were called to the property at about 12:30 p.m. Friday, according to a county 911 dispatch supervisor. The response by firefighters and ambulance crews was canceled as state police took control of the scene.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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