Avella woman found shot to death in a car in Jefferson Twp.
A state police forensics unit processes the scene where an Avella woman was found shot to death in her car Tuesday in Jefferson Township.
State police Trooper Matthew Jardine issues a statement Tuesday about a homicide along a rural road Tuesday in Jefferson Township.
State police have blocked Meneely Road at Strope Road near where a woman was discovered dead Tuesday in an apparent homicide in Jefferson Township.
Dennis Kern
An Avella woman’s husband was a person of interest in her slaying after she was found shot to death in a car parked on a rural road Tuesday in Jefferson Township.
State police said Dennis James Kern, 61, was not a suspect in the killing of Carolin Marry Kern, 68, whose body was found in a car that appeared to have been involved in a crash before it was discovered shortly after noon on Meneely Road. The car was found with part of its rear bumper damaged.
“He was a threat to the victim,” Trooper Matthew Jardine said. “It’s always a shame when a domestic situation turns into a crime like this.”
Carolin Kern was pronounced dead from a shotgun wound to the chest about 2 p.m. at the scene, the Washington County coroner’s office said. The death was ruled a homicide by the coroner.
Dennis Kern, who had recent addresses in Independence and Cross Creek townships was arrested May 25 on allegations he threatened to shoot and kill his wife in a terroristic threats and assault case that was later closed, Washington County Court records showed.
He was charged by state police with burglary last month in a summons, and he was scheduled to be arraigned in the case Oct. 21, court records indicated. The details of that case were not immediately known Tuesday night.
Jardine said he would not comment on the man’s criminal record.
Police said he was driving a gray single-cab 2013 Chevrolet pickup truck with tinted windows. He was described as being white, with short white hair and brown eyes. He was believed to be armed with a 12-gauge shotgun.
During the investigation, police had roadblocks set up on Meneely Road at Karch and Strope Roads near the village of Studa. The homicide scene was cleared and Meneely reopened about 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Anyone with information about Dennis Kern is asked to call police at 724-223-5200.