Woman charged with killing husband in hempfield township home

Woman charged with killing husband in Hempfield Township home

Hempfield Township woman charged with homicide after fatal shooting of husband

IRWIN, PA – A 51-year-old woman is facing a criminal homicide charge after allegedly shooting her husband inside their Hempfield Township home over the weekend, according to Pennsylvania State Police and the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office.

Leeann Steel called 911 on Saturday, October 18, reporting that she had shot her husband, William Steel, and that he required medical attention. When troopers arrived at the residence on Merlin Lane, they discovered William Steel inside a bedroom suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Troopers located Leeann Steel outside, in the yard of a neighboring property. A Beretta Tomcat handgun was recovered from a table on the front porch of the residence and appeared to have been recently fired, investigators said.

Steel was arrested at the scene and later arraigned on a single count of criminal homicide. She was denied bail and remains in custody. No motive has been publicly disclosed, and the investigation is ongoing.

All individuals charged in a criminal case are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Key Points

  • Leeann Steel, 51, is charged with criminal homicide in the shooting death of her husband
  • William Steel was found with a gunshot wound in a bedroom and later died at the hospital
  • A Beretta handgun believed to be used in the shooting was recovered from the scene
Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

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Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News