To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Man in 'Scream' costume accused of murdering neighbor with chainsaw and knife before watching a movie for the night
Featured Image Credit: WFMZ

Man in 'Scream' costume accused of murdering neighbor with chainsaw and knife before watching a movie for the night

He has been charged with criminal homicide in connection with the death

A man from Pennsylvania allegedly killed his neighbor with a chainsaw while wearing a mask like the one from the movie Scream.

It is alleged that Zac Moyer, 30, attacked and killed his neighbor Edward Whitehead Jr., 59, using a battery operated chainsaw and a knife.

State trooper Anthony Petroski told WFMZ that Whitehead had been 'struck multiple times with a knife and a battery-operated chainsaw'.

Describing the suspect, Petroski said: “The suspect was wearing an all-black outfit, consisting of a mask of the ‘Scream’ character from a movie from a few years ago."

The movie features a killer wearing a mask that looks like a screaming ghost that has become a widely-known design.

The 59-year-old was taken to St Luke's Carbon County Hospital, however, he sadly passed away.

Law enforcement became suspicious of Moyer after CCTV footage allegedly showed him leaving Whitehead's home through the back.

Moyer was said to have communicated with police using a notebook, and started making outlandish accusations against Whitehead.

Zac Moyer has been detained on a charge of homicide.
WFMZ

Petroski made clear to Lehigh Valley Live that these allegations are 'not something we are looking into'.

Eventually Moyer handed himself in to authorities, wearing a red hoodie during his arrest.

Moyer's sister claimed that he had spoken about murdering Whitehead around a week before allegedly killing him.

She alleged that he had gone to watch a movie while he waited for the police, though it wasn't revealed what film he watched.

A police report also stated that Moyer tried to hide the knife and battery operated chainsaw.

Officers discovered both the weapons, as well as the costume that he allegedly wore.

Whitehead's family has been left devastated by the loss.

Moyer has a preliminary hearing set for April 3.
WFMZ

His niece, Jennifer Whitehead, told WNEP: "I just don’t know what kind of people or people in this world that could do that. That’s the sad thing."

Whitehead's other niece, Megan Bernosky, said the incident was 'mind-numbing', adding: “I don’t think anybody has truly had it all sink in at this point. What actually occurred and what happened, it’s been horrible.”

Moyer's mugshot shows the alleged killer with a bruise and red mark under his right eye.

The suspect claimed this was from being hit by Whitehead.

Moyer has now been arraigned in front of District Judge Eric Schrantz on a charge of criminal homicide.

He is currently being held in Carbon County Jail without bail awaiting a preliminary court hearing on April 3.

Topics: News, US News, Crime