Kennedy Township man found dead in Burgettstown area
The spot where Ryan John Ramirez’s body was found is across from the gamelands in Hillman State Park.
Ryan John Ramirez
The wooded area at 1534 Steubenville Pike where authorities found the body of 21-year-old Ryan John Ramirez of Kennedy Township.
The mother of a 21-year-old Kennedy Township man found dead in Hanover Township is remembering him as a special, caring person.
Shari Ramirez said she knew something was wrong when she couldn’t find her son for four days. Ryan John Ramirez was found dead of a gunshot wound in a wooded area near the 1500 block of Steubenville Pike about 10 p.m. Thursday.
Allegheny County detectives are leading the investigation into the homicide and charged Kristopher Lott with criminal homicide Friday. Allegheny County authorities said in a news release the homicide “arose from a continuing course of conduct that originated in Allegheny County and proceeded to its culmination in Washington County.”
Shari Ramirez, her husband, John, and two other sons, Alex, 24, and Sean, 18, are leaning on their community and friends as they grieve and piece together with police what could have happened.
“We lost touch with him on Monday, and on Tuesday morning he sent us a text saying he was with a friend. We became concerned and started searching around and posting on social media,” Shari Ramirez said.
Ramirez said her son never left without a phone cord and his car. This time, he departed without his vehicle, indicating he left with someone else.
“He was caring and trusting, perhaps trusting to a fault in placing faith with people he shouldn’t have. … I know that so many good people are out there, and it’s sad that someone would go to lengths to take someone’s life. We are forever thankful to all our friends and family and our support groups in our community. We never realized how many people we could count on when we needed them. And I have full confidence in Kennedy Township police and Allegheny County homicide detectives that they’ll find justice for Ryan,” Ramirez said.