Clarion, PA – A 34-year-old man faces criminal homicide charges after allegedly attempting to make the stabbing death of a 45-year-old woman appear as a suicide. Chase Steigerwald is in custody at Clarion County Jail following the death of Rachel Roman, who was discovered on the floor of his apartment on the morning of November 5.
A criminal complaint details that Steigerwald and an unnamed woman were outside his residence when police arrived. Steigerwald claimed they had gone for a walk and found Roman dead upon their return.
The unnamed woman provided police with a conflicting account. She stated that she heard choking noises from the living room and discovered Steigerwald packing a backpack as Roman lay bleeding on the floor.
Surveillance footage revealed the pair leaving the apartment at 5:05 a.m. and returning at 6:38 a.m. Steigerwald reportedly told the woman he intended to stage Roman’s death to look like a suicide.
Upon returning, the woman alleged that she witnessed Steigerwald placing a knife in Roman’s hand to obtain her fingerprints. She also observed him hide methamphetamine in a couch.
Witnesses at a party the night before Roman’s death saw her alive at around 11 p.m. Another witness on a FaceTime call with Steigerwald reported seeing him brandishing a knife and heard him arguing with Roman.
The night of the incident, Roman sent a text at 11:39 p.m., but a response from her coworker at 12:20 a.m. was not delivered, indicating her phone may have been turned off.
Neighbors reported a loud party at Steigerwald’s apartment that stopped around midnight. Steigerwald told police the knife found belonged to him and that he had smoked molly before calling 911 on the morning of November 5.
Blood was found in various locations within the apartment, including the sinks and a dishwashing soap bottle. An autopsy indicated that Roman suffered multiple stab wounds, with a fatal wound to her neck.
Steigerwald was arrested on a drug charge shortly after Roman’s body was found. His homicide charge was filed on Tuesday, resulting in the dismissal of the drug charge. He remains in jail without bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for December 2.