Homicide

The York County Medical Examiner’s Office has not ruled on the cause of death and that may be several days until that information is known. 

There were no obvious signs of problems in the home or about the home.  The York County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating; York County Forensic Team was on the scene as well as the York County District Attorney’s Office. 

The Southwestern Regional Police Department is requesting any information from the community that may help understand what occurred at the home. We are asking that anyone with information to call our department at (717) 225-1333, ext 100, or the York County Department of Emergency Services at 911.

UPDATE #2  (April 2, 2010)--------------------------------------------------------- 

After a thorough medical review of the victim’s injuries, on this date, the York County Medical Examiner’s Office has classified this case as a Homicide. 

The victim died in this case as a result of a single gunshot to the head.  There were no indications that the victim’s home was forcibly entered.  There were no signs of disruption at the victim’s home.  We know of no one else who was at the home at the time of the incident.  The victim’s home is very secluded, on a wooded lot and ¼ mile off of the main roadway.  The victim resides at their home where the incident occurred with her adult daughter.  The victim has another daughter who resides out of state.  The victim’s marital status was divorced. 

The victim has been described as a loving and giving person who often spent time helping those with physical and mental disabilities.  She was an active member in her church in Hanover, PA. 

The Southwestern Regional Police Department is investigating this case and is in dire need of any information that may assist the investigators understand what occurred at this incident.  Please contact us at 717-225-1333 ext 100, or through York County Department of Emergency Services at 911. 

UPDATE #3  APRIL 30, 2010-------------------------------------------------------- 

After several hundred hours of investigative time, there are no charges filed in the homicide case of Mrs. Monica Schmeyer, shot and killed in her home on March 31, 2010.  The purpose of this update is to include the public in the very latest information available to them. 

We are considering this homicide as a “one in hundred homicide”, in that there are normally several issues regarding the act that are obvious and known to the investigators.  That is not the situation in this case.  Very little is known about the victim’s acquaintances as she was a very private person.  Very little information is known concerning the motive for the crime.  It is normally obvious that either theft or emotions were the cause for such an event.  Neither is obvious or known in this case.   Lastly, a long list of persons that have come into contact with the victim have been followed up and explored.  The list includes close friends to total strangers, such as delivery and home service persons, that were at the home or even in the area, on that day. So far, nothing indicates that any of these persons are responsible for Mrs. Schmeyer’s death. 

As was noted earlier, dozens of pieces of evidence have been sent to three separate crime labs.  The tests include checking for DNA samples, fingerprint evidence and one where the recording of the 911 call is being digitally analyzed for any possible sounds that cannot be picked up by a normal digital player. 

We hope and believe that all of these efforts will eventually provide us with what occurred at this home.  Nothing at this point indicates that those answers will come in the near future.  Nothing indicates that this community needs to unusually worry about their safety but as in every case, we encourage residents to take normal precautions such as locking their homes and vehicles when away, be observant of your surroundings as you leave and return from your home, and to call York County Department of Emergency Services at 911 if you have information about this crime or you observe something that you would like a police officer to look into. 

Also, our investigator’s information on this case is Sgt. Lisa Layden and she can be contacted at (717) 225-1333 ext. 115.