Centre County man admitted to killing wife of more than 30 years, police say
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- Man charged with criminal homicide after police say he admitted to killing his wife.
- Troopers say a dispute over a missing nude photo at home escalated to killing.
- Authorities charged him with homicide and strangulation; bail denied.
A Centre County man charged Saturday with homicide in the beating death of his wife admitted to killing her following a dispute over a nude photo, state police at Rockview wrote in a newly released document.
Alan K. Reed, 74, said he assaulted and strangled Dawn Reed, 57, throughout their Rush Township home after an argument over the photo that he said he used as “leverage against her,” troopers wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.
Reed said he could not find the photo of the two of them and believed she hid it from him, police wrote. Troopers said he further admitted she asked him to leave and defended herself as he forced her to the floor and strangled her.
When she stopped moving, troopers said Reed told them he became fearful he killed her and attempted to provoke her with a knife to see if she was still alive. He received no response.
Reed had blood on his shirt and hands when he was arrested. He said he expected an ambulance to arrive, but was instead met by troopers.
Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna told the Centre Daily Times on Monday the two were married more than 30 years.
Police were called about 11:15 a.m. Saturday for a welfare check at the home along the 700 block of North Front Street. Troopers said they were told Reed sent concerning text messages to a family member claiming to have beaten his wife.
Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers said in a press release that Reed’s cause of death is pending investigation and toxicology testing, a process that typically takes about two months.
Centre County prosecutors charged Reed with criminal homicide, a broad charge that can later be refined to a specific degree of murder once more evidence in uncovered and presented. Reed is also charged with a felony count of strangulation.
No defense lawyer was listed and the Centre Count Public Defender Office did not represent him as of Monday morning. Reed was denied bail by District Judge Don Hahn and is incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5.
Domestic violence resources
Centre Safe: 814-234-5050. Available 24/7, confidential and free.
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 717-545-6400
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
This story was originally published October 27, 2025 at 12:01 PM.