Indiana Co. man was stabbed, struck & stomped on after being kidnapped

Publish date: 2024-05-04

Indiana County, PA (WJAC) — 2nd UPDATE |

Court documents are unveiling new details about how an Indiana County man was killed last month after being kidnapped by a group of eight individuals.

The seven adult co-defendants had their charges upgraded Tuesday to include criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault following their respective preliminary hearings.

Amended criminal affidavits say that the co-defendants witnessed 21-year-old Isaac Buchkoski striking and stomping on 19-year-old Hayden Garreffa prior to his death.

Police say Buchkoski allegedly struck the victim in his head, face and torso during the assault.

Investigators say, according to the amended documents, that 18-year-old Taylyn Edwards claimed that she and 18-year-old Summer Settlemyer also stabbed Garreffa several times during the assault.

Police say all seven individuals admitted to planning to kidnap and assault the victim.

Authorities say 21-year-old Desean Alvarez, 18-year-old Mia Catalfano, 20-year-old Thomas Rivera and 18-year-old Jesse Wadsworth all admitted to being present at the time of the kidnapping and assault.

However, court documents do not specify whether or not those four individuals "actively participated" in said assault.

The 14-year-old juvenile suspect remains charged with kidnapping and is being held at a juvenile detention facility.

Authorities did not confirm a motive for Garreffa's death other than stating that Buchkoski and Settlemeyer had harbored "ill will" towards the victim for an alleged prior incident.

UPDATE |

State police and the Indiana County District Attorney announced Tuesday that all seven adult defendants charged with kidnapping Hayden Robert Garreffa have been charged with Criminal Homicide.

The criminal complaints were amended in court to include an additional count of Criminal Homicide and in each case bail was denied.

The seven adult defendants are:

The eighth defendant who is 14-years-old remains charged as a juvenile with Kidnapping and is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility

ORIGINAL |

State police in Indiana County say seven adults and one juvenile are facing charges of kidnapping and/or conspiracy in connection to the disappearance of 19-year-old Hayden Garreffa, who police say was found dead over the weekend in Brush Valley Township.

Troopers say Garreffa was reported missing last Thursday, Oct. 20, from a residence in East Wheatfield Township, and his body was found early Saturday morning in a remote, wooded area. Garreffa, who had previously lived in Ebensburg, was living with his grandmother at the time of his death in Indiana County.

Following an autopsy Monday, authorities ruled his death a homicide and announced charges against eight individuals following their initial investigation.

According to a criminal affidavit, investigators say Garreffa was reportedly "lured" out of a relative's home in Dilltown, by Buchkoski, on the day of his disappearance, following an argument that the two had engaged in earlier in the day.

Investigators say, according to a witness, Garreffa was prompted into a red van, around 2 p.m., on the day of his disappearance and authorities noted in a press conference Tuesday that the Indiana County Coroner's Office determined that he had died at approximately 2:30 p.m. that same day.

Police say, according to the witness, Buchkoski reportedly made the statement, "You won't have to worry about him again, because he will be dead before the end of the day," as Garreffa left the residence.

Troopers say the witness then contacted Garreffa's grandmother, whom he allegedly resides with in Cambria County, who then contacted state police.

Authorities say investigators were told that Garreffa has autism and would never leave without his phone or medication.

Upon further investigation, police say Buchkoski and his girlfriend, identified as Settlemyer, had reportedly harbored "ill will" towards Garreffa for an unspecified prior incident.

Troopers say all eight individuals conspired to "abduct and assault" Garreffa.

Authorities also noted in Tuesday's press conference that additional homicide-related charges will be announced at a later time as police continue to conduct their investigation.

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