HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a jury has convicted Christopher Rowe, of Cambria County, of first-degree murder regarding the 2016 death of his former girlfriend, Kaylene Roedel.
The jury also convicted Rowe, 50, of aggravated assault and false reports to law enforcement.
The Office of Attorney General presented evidence that Rowe threatened Roedel at her workplace, days before she went missing. She was found dead Aug. 7, 2016, on a hiking trail in Johnstown.
Rowe faces a mandatory life-in-prison sentence when he is sentenced in early January 2025.
“The defendant brutally murdered this woman — the mother of his child — after publicly threatening her at her place of employment,” Attorney General Henry said. “Our Office sincerely thanks the investigators, prosecutors, and the jurors who heard this case, securing justice for the victim. Nothing will bring Kaylene back, but we hope this verdict offers a small measure of peace for her loved ones.”
In 2016, Rowe was in Cambria County Jail for previously assaulting Roedel. At the time, the two shared a home and custody of their child.
According to testimony, Rowe made comments to other inmates that he wanted to kill Roedel. Soon after Rowe was released, Roedel went missing.
On surveillance, Roedel’s vehicle was seen driving near the location where Roedel’s body was found; Rowe was in possession of the vehicle.
A witness told police that Rowe admitted to strangling Roedel and that if the witness told anyone they would also be killed.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry and Deputy Attorney General Aaron McKendry.
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