JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — State police say an Armstrong County man is facing murder charges after he allegedly admitted to shooting and killing his stepfather, who had been reported missing for several weeks, before allegedly dumping his body in Jefferson County.
Investigators say 34-year-old Cody Weiland, of Rural Valley, reportedly admitted to shooting 56-year-old David Kimberly Jr. at a home along Reefer Hollow Road.
According to the affidavit, troopers were contacted on Sept. 28th after Kimberly’s brother filed a missing persons report, claiming that he had not heard from him in nearly a week.
Police say that when they spoke with Kimberly’s wife, she stated that he had become upset and left the residence after she reportedly told him that she wanted a divorce.
Troopers say Kimberly’s wife stated that she last saw him on Sept. 23rd.
Investigators say on October 12th, troopers were contacted by a Plumcreek Township property owner who had reportedly discovered a van, over an embankment, on his property.
Police say the van was registered to David Kimberly and had reportedly been painted in “an attempt to conceal it.”
Investigators say that during follow up questioning with Kimberly’s family, they also spoke with Weiland, who claimed that he did not know how his stepfather’s van ended up crashed on a nearby property.
Police say Weiland then attempted to show troopers home surveillance video on his phone, and gave investigators consent to search it.
Troopers say they discovered text messages in which Weiland reportedly discussed “getting the van stuck” and “being worried about homicide detectives” showing up to the home.
Police noted that these messages contradicted Weiland’s prior statements.
Authorities also noted that prior to the conversation with Kimberly’s family, his wife reportedly lied to the troopers and stated that Weiland was not home.
Police say Weiland was then taken into custody, at which time he reportedly admitted to shooting Kimberly with a .22 caliber rifle on the morning of Sept. 23rd.
According to the affidavit, police say Weiland allegedly claimed to have shot Kimberly 10 times with the rifle, in the face and neck, before shooting him one additional time in the forehead, at point blank range.
Police say Weiland stated that he then wrapped Kimberly’s body in a tarp and placed it, along with a couch and a blood-stained carpet, in Kimberly’s van.
Troopers say Weiland then reportedly drove Kimberly’s body, and some of his belongings, to a remote location in Jefferson County.
Investigators say Weiland admitted to discarding the items in a field, and also dumping Kimberly’s body.
Police say Weiland stated that he attempted to hide the van in a nearby wooded area but reportedly got it stuck.
According to online court records, Weiland was arraigned over the weekend on charges of first-degree murder, criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and false reports to law enforcement.
He is being housed at the Armstrong County Jail.
Online records show that no charges have been filed against Kimberly’s wife.
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