INDIANA —
The Indiana County coroner says more tests are needed to confirm the identity of a body found in a submerged barrel late last month, even though a Pittsburgh woman says investigators have told her it is likely her grandson.
Donna Reed Williams tells The Associated Press that investigators told her on Friday that they believe the remains are those of 17-year-old Rodnell Burton, who has been missing since late March. Williams says police haven’t told the family why they suspect Burton is the victim, and Indiana County Coroner Michael Baker says DNA tests are still pending.
State police on Tuesday announced they charged 32-year-old Jon Anthony Black with criminal homicide in connection with the remains found near Blairsville on Aug. 31. But court papers in the case are sealed.
They are appealing for the public’s help in locating Black, who had lived in both Blairsville, Indiana County, and Yukon, Westmoreland County.
Although the criminal complaint charging Black with criminal homicide and the police affidavit of probable cause have been sealed under a court order, Trooper John Matchik confirmed that Black is wanted in the homicide.
The victim’s remains were found in the barrel Aug. 31.
The identity of the victim and how that person was killed have not yet been released by the police or the Indiana County coroner.
Matchik said that he expected it will take a “few weeks” until the identity is confirmed.
He said that the documents in the case were sealed because of “the sensitive nature of the investigation and the possibility of additional actors being charged.”
Police also issued a warning that “anyone found to be concealing or aiding the accused (Black) could be charged with a felony.”
Black, a white male, is 5-foot-10, weighs about 175 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown hair.
Police said that he has multiple tattoos on his upper body, including a large skull on his right upper arm, skulls on his neck and a picture of Hitler on the upper right portion of his chest.
Black has criminal records in Indiana and Westmoreland counties for drug violations and assaults.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at (724) 357-1960.
Police said that information received during a probe into a series of robberies and burglaries led them to search for the barrel.
The Indiana Gazette reported that police believe a man had been killed and his body put into the barrel that was tossed over a bridge on Newport Road in Burrell Township, northwest of Blairsville.
A state police helicopter was used in the search, and a dive team found the barrel, authorities said.
Indiana County Coroner Michael Baker has said that the remains found in the metal, 55-gallon drum had likely been there for months, but less than a year.
Local News
Related Photos
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Black submitted photo
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Jon Anthony Black sports an assortment of tattoos, including several skulls and a picture of Adolph Hitler. submitted photo
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