A Cambria County man, Christopher Rowe, has been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for the murder of his former girlfriend, Kaylene Roedel. The announcement was made by Attorney General Michelle Henry. Rowe was convicted in November 2024 by a jury in Cambria County on charges of first-degree murder and other offenses related to the 2016 incident.
Attorney General Henry commented on the case stating, "This defendant ended one life and devastated many others with the premeditated and cold-hearted killing of the mother of his child." She expressed hope that the conviction and sentence would bring some sense of justice to Roedel's family and friends.
The tragic events unfolded after Rowe had been released from jail where he was held for allegedly assaulting Roedel. At that time, they shared a home and custody of their child. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Rowe had threatened Roedel at her workplace shortly before she disappeared. Her body was discovered on August 7, 2016, along a hiking trail in Johnstown.
Surveillance footage showed Roedel’s vehicle near the site where her body was found; Rowe was reportedly in possession of this vehicle. A witness testified that Rowe confessed to strangling Roedel and warned them not to disclose this information under threat of harm.
The prosecution team included Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry and Deputy Attorney General Aaron McKendry.