NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. - Almost a month after a suspicious death at a home in a four-plex in this community, there are still many unanswered questions about what happened.
On June 20, 51-year old Colette Bauer was found deceased in her residence on the 800 block of Bridge Street, and now, Cumberland County Crime Stoppers is trying to locate a person of interest in the case.
“I hadn't seen her for a week or so and then when I found out they found the body in there, it was kind of upsetting,” Donald Solonica, who lives next door, said.
Police have identified 54-year-old David Buckwalter of Carlisle as a person of interest in the case. Court records show there is a misdemeanor count of abuse of a corpse against him relating to this incident.
Neighbors say they can still recall what it was like when the incident happened.
“There was all kinds of police, coroners, the forensic people, and a girl screaming and carrying on, said it was a murder,” Hetty Diodonet, a neighbor, said.
But whether there was a homicide remains unclear. New Cumberland police have said little about this case, but they do not believe Buckwalter is a threat to others, and hope finding him will help solve the case.
“When we first heard about it and everything, the officer came over and was talking to my wife and I, and I asked if there was any concern for the neighbors and he said no, that he thought it was just an incident at the apartment,” Solonica said.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Cumberland County Crime Stoppers 1-855-628-8477, or email contact@cumberlandcrimestoppers.net.