LEHIGHTON, PA – A chillingly gruesome crime scene unfolded in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, where a man reportedly killed his neighbor using a chainsaw, all the while wearing a mask from the movie “Scream.”
Edward Whitehead Jr., 59, was declared deceased at his home Monday afternoon, bearing horrifying wounds on his head and arm, along with defensive injuries on his hands, as shared by Pennsylvania State Police.
“The suspect was wearing an all-black outfit, consisting of a mask of the ‘Scream’ character,” said State Trooper Anthony Petroski, adding that Whitehead had been inflicted with rapid strikes from a knife and a battery-powered chainsaw.
Local authorities soon identified Zak Moyer, 30, Whitehead’s next-door neighbor, as the prime suspect. Surveillance footage captured Moyer leaving the victim’s home shortly after the incident occurred.
Moyer started to communicate with police using a notebook, making outrageous claims about Whitehead’s involvement in violent crimes, including a statement: “Ed murdered women and kids. Eddie Junior murdered women and kids last summer.”
Police ruled out taking the extreme allegations into their mainstream investigation. Eventually, Moyer surrendered to the authorities and was not wearing the ‘Scream’ outfit at the time of arrest.
Reports revealed that Moyer’s sister had alerted police a week prior that he had been discussing killing his neighbor. Post-crime, Moyer reportedly watched a movie at home while waiting for the police to arrive.
Moyer also allegedly concealed the chainsaw and knife used in the attack; authorities found these, along with the costume. His mugshot revealed a red wound beneath his eye, which Moyer claimed was inflicted by Whitehead.
Moyer was charged with homicide and is being held without bail in Carbon County Jail awaiting an April 3 preliminary hearing. The day following Moyer’s arrest, his father, Francis Moyer, was arrested on charges of harassment after allegations of causing distress to the Whitehead family.