Pa. man allegedly killed 19-year-old ex after breakup and then stabbed himself in the neck
02/21/2024 3:41 pm PST
YARDLEY, Pa. (TCD) -- A 23-year-old man who believed his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend cheated on him allegedly stabbed her to death shortly after their breakup.
According to an affidavit posted by the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, on Friday, Feb. 16, at around 2:22 p.m., officers from the Lower Makefield Township Police Department responded to a report of a burglary at a home on Waterford Road. The reporting party told police a white male with black hair was seen going into the home through a rear window.
A responding officer, Robert Kennedy, saw the man, later identified as Trevor Weigel, standing next to a red Ford Mustang with the passenger door open. The vehicle was reportedly parked on the curb at the time.
According to the district attorney’s office, Kennedy saw Weigel "chase after a female, tackle her to the ground, and begin stabbing her in the upper portion of her body."
The female victim, later identified as Jaden Battista, was reportedly "bleeding heavily" from the chest.
As the officer approached Battista, Weigel allegedly fled on foot toward Interstate 295. While fleeing, the district attorney’s office said Weigel stabbed himself on the side of his neck.
Sgt. Brian Holder responded to the scene, chased Weigel, and eventually tased him. Weigel was subsequently transported to the hospital to undergo treatment for his self-inflicted injuries.
Officials recovered a bloody knife believed to have been used in the stabbing near in the same area where Weigel fled.
Kennedy attempted lifesaving measures on Battista. She was transported to the hospital via ambulance, where she died from her injuries. According to a press conference from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, investigators believe she was stabbed at least 15 times, two of which were fatal wounds.
Police reviewed body-worn camera footage from officers during Weigel’s arrest on Interstate 295. In the footage, Weigel allegedly said he discovered Battista was cheating on him, so he "lost it."
According to Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, Battista and Weigel had dated for around two months and recently broke up.
Upon further investigation, the district attorney’s office said investigators learned Battista spoke with a friend on the phone at around 2:15 p.m. on the day of the stabbing. Battista reportedly told her friend Weigel came to her home without warning and was attempting to enter and banged on the door.
The district attorney’s office said while Battista was on the phone, Weigel got into the home through a window, and the friend overheard a "commotion, followed by a thump."
The friend told investigators Battista’s "voice became muffled as if someone was holding their hand over her mouth as she attempted to speak," according to the district attorney's office.
The phone line reportedly went dead, and the friend tried to call the victim back, but Battista didn’t answer.
On Saturday, Feb. 17, an autopsy determined Battista died of multiple stab wounds to her neck and chest.
Schorn called the fatal attack an "unimaginable, senseless loss."
The district attorney’s office announced that their office filed multiple charges against Weigel, including criminal homicide, burglary, possession of an instrument of crime, disorderly conduct, and harassment. He was arraigned on Sunday, Feb. 18, and denied bail.
According to Schorn, as of Feb. 19, Weigel was in the hospital being treated for his injuries and is expected to survive.
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