Zak Moyer, a Pennsylvania man, was arrested and charged with criminal homicide for allegedly donning a “Scream” costume and brutally murdering his 59-year-old next-door neighbor, Edward Whitehead Jr., with a chainsaw and knife. The incident occurred on the 200 block of Carbon Street in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, prompting a police response which ultimately led to Moyer’s arrest. Whitehead was found with severe wounds and punctures, and was pronounced dead at St. Luke’s Carbon County Hospital. Police revealed that Moyer and Whitehead knew each other, and the attack was not random.
After the assault, Moyer retreated to his own home, where he changed out of his “Scream” costume before eventually being persuaded to leave by police negotiations. During the standoff, Moyer reportedly communicated with the police using a notebook, making claims that Whitehead had murdered women and children in the past. Despite these allegations, Whitehead had never been charged with murder according to official records. Moyer’s sister indicated to police that her brother had previously mentioned his intention to kill Whitehead, leading up to the tragic incident.
Following his arrest, Moyer confessed to the crime, admitting that he had indeed planned on killing his neighbor and had only initially claimed to have done it to scare Whitehead. He also disclosed that the chainsaw, knife, and costume he used in the attack were hidden in his house for the police to later find. Moyer was arraigned on homicide charges and held without bail at Carbon County Jail, with a preliminary court hearing scheduled for April 3. The day after Moyer’s arrest, his father, Francis, was also taken into custody for allegedly harassing the Whitehead family.
The gruesome nature of the crime and the subsequent arrest of Moyer left the community and Whitehead’s family in shock and disbelief. Whitehead’s niece Jennifer expressed her disbelief at such a horrific act, questioning how someone could commit such a heinous crime. Another niece, Megan, described the situation as horrible and indicated that the true impact of the incident had not fully sunk in for those involved. The tragic events have left the neighborhood and all those involved grappling with the senseless violence that occurred.
Overall, the case of Zak Moyer accused of the brutal murder of his neighbor with a chainsaw and knife while donning a “Scream” costume has shocked the community. The details of the attack, arrest, and subsequent confession by Moyer have left many in disbelief and struggling to come to terms with the violence that occurred. The legal proceedings and involvement of Moyer’s family have further added layers of complexity to the tragic incident, leaving all involved looking for answers and seeking justice for the victim. The impact of such a brutal crime is sure to be long-lasting for all those affected.
