Eight people charged in connection with the killing of a West Wheatfield Township man are expected in court today for preliminary hearings.
The eight people are 21-year-old Issac Buchkowski, 18-year-old Mia Catalfano, 18-year-old Taylyn Edwards, 20-year-old Thomas Rivera, 18-year-old Summer Settlemeyer, 18-year-old Jesse Lee Wadsworth and 14-year-old Harmony Hayward, all of Johnstown, along with 21-year-old Desean Alvarez of Hammond, Indiana. All eight face charges of criminal homicide, kidnapping and aggravated assault along with conspiracy to each of those charges in the death of Hayden Gareffa on October 20th, 2022, while Edwards faces an additional charge of statutory sexual assault.
Police reported Gareffa missing on October 21st from a home in East Wheatfield Township. Troopers announced on October 24th that Gareffa’s body was found in a remote wooded area of Brush Valley Township at 4:00 AM. He was pronounced dead on the scene by Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman, Jr. and he ruled his death a homicide. Police believe that Gareffa was kidnapped and then killed.
All of them have remained in police custody with no bail set. Their hearings are set for 9:00 this morning before District Judge Susanne Steffee.
