Boalsburg woman’s shooting death still under investigation. ‘Not an acceptable delay’
Centre County’s top prosecutor said Monday that the investigation into the fatal December 2024 shooting of a Boalsburg woman remains ongoing, preventing a charging decision by his hoped-for end-of-March timeline.
Prosecutors have received a blood spatter report from the state police, but District Attorney Bernie Cantorna told the Centre Daily Times his office is still waiting on the results of ballistics testing. A review by a medical examiner could then follow.
He declined to offer a timeline for how long the latest round of testing is expected to take.
“It is a priority for police and it’s a priority for our office, and I know it’s a priority for the family,” Cantorna said of the probe that has drawn on for 15 1/2 months. “This is not an acceptable delay.”
Cantorna said prosecutors had to hire their ballistics expert at a “not insignificant” cost, an amount he declined to detail further. He said the money would not be spent until the results were received.
Chelsea Knepp, 35, died of a gunshot wound to her head in the home she shared with her boyfriend along the 900 block of Boal Avenue, Cantorna said in April. Her death was ruled a homicide.
Her boyfriend told police a handgun discharged during an altercation between the two. He called 911 about 5 a.m. to report she had been shot and needed an ambulance, Cantorna said.
He was interviewed at the home, told investigators there had been a domestic argument that escalated and that he attempted to disarm Knepp, but the legally-owned handgun discharged during the struggle, Cantorna said.
The district attorney did not offer a direct response last year when asked if the man was cooperating with the investigation. Cantorna would only say the man was interviewed at the scene.
Knepp and her boyfriend were together for “some time” and police had been called to the home before, Cantorna said. Those with information were previously asked to contact State College police at 814-234-7150.
Knepp was remembered in her obituary for her flamboyant personality and sense of humor. She was a licensed practical nurse and worked in skilled nursing at The Atrium at The Village at Penn State.
She enjoyed caring for residents and made friendships with them and their families.
“She loved her pets, especially her dog, Tucker, who helped her through many rough times,” according to the obituary. “She also had a love for her chickens whom she liked to visit and spoil.”
She was survived by her parents, two brothers, maternal grandparents and nieces and nephews.