State police charged a man with homicide on Thursday, alleging he killed an elderly woman following an argument at a home in Susquehanna County.
According to news releases state police issued Thursday:
Police responded to 1235 Donovan Road in the Brackney section of Silver Lake Twp. at about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a deceased woman.
Responding troopers found Andrea Lynn Vail, 76, dead inside the residence. Vail had several bruises on her body “that were indicative of blunt force injuries,” police said.
Troopers located Michael Sean Jones, 46, outside the home, where he resides.
An investigation and a search of the residence determined that Jones and Vail had been involved in an argument inside the home on Tuesday evening. During the altercation, Jones allegedly assaulted Vail, causing her death.
Jones was transported to UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, New York, due to consuming numerous narcotics in an attempt to harm himself after Vail’s remains were discovered, police said. He remains hospitalized under police supervision as of Thursday afternoon.
The Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office approved a charge of criminal homicide against Jones. New York State Police assisted with obtaining a Fugitive from Justice warrant.
Police charged Jones with homicide, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and other offenses, according to court records.
An autopsy on Thursday determined Vail was a victim of a homicide due to multiple traumatic injuries. Jones remains in custody in New York, awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania.
The Troop R Major Case Team was activated to investigate the incident. Members of the Troop R Forensic Services Unit and Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist Unit processed the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said.