Woman Allegedly Abducted By Connecticut Double Murder Suspect Found Safe In NJ As Manhunt Continues, Police Say
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) -- A multi-state manhunt is underway for a University of Connecticut student wanted in two killings. He is now believed to be in Pennsylvania.
A woman who said she was abducted by the student has been found safe in New Jersey, police said Monday.
The 23-year-old woman, whose boyfriend was found shot to death Sunday at a home in Derby, Connecticut, was located at a rest stop near Paterson, New Jersey, with her 2016 Volkswagen Jetta.
State police want you to take a close look at 23-year-old Peter Manfredonia.
The UConn engineering student is accused of killing 62-year-old Ted DeMers in Willington, Connecticut on Friday, then 23-year-old Nicholas Eisele, who police believe was an acquaintance of the suspect, in Derby, Connecticut on Sunday.
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Pennsylvania State Police say the suspect was last seen in Stroudsburg Sunday, where he was captured on a security camera walking by some train tracks and carrying a duffel bag.
A lawyer for Manfredonia's family, Mike Dolan, said the suspect has struggled with mental health issues and has "sought the help of a number of therapists."
"Peter, if you are listening, you are loved," Dolan said at a news conference Monday. "It is time to let the healing process begin. It's time to surrender. You have your parents' and your sisters' and your family's entire support. So, Peter, from your parents, we love you, please turn yourself in."
CBS3 talked with police in Yeadon, Delaware County on Monday. Although that department has not received a bulletin about the suspect, Yeadon Police Chief Anthony Paparo explained what goes into a multi-state manhunt for a suspected killer.
"Everybody leaves a digital footprint no matter where they go nowadays. So the lead agency should be looking at the potential for toll plazas where he could be passing. A lot of departments have license plate tag readers, so as a result, they can send out a message to jurisdictions to say, 'Hey, check your tag readers for these potential tags,'" Paparo said.
"Investigators will also be dealing with his family and friends to determine what kind of stressors in his life to ultimately go down this road," Paparo said.
Paparo also says it's important for people in northeastern Pennsylvania to keep their eyes peeled because the suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
CBS3's Matt Petrillo contributed to this report.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
