Arnold resident accused of killing mother in stabbing attack
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Neighbors on Liberty Avenue in Arnold told police they witnessed Brian Johnathan Rebold stab his mother to death early Sunday evening.
Rebold, 38, of Arnold is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bond on one count of criminal homicide and one count of first-degree murder. Police say he stabbed his mother multiple times in the middle of the street in the quiet, well-kept neighborhood.
Diana N. Rebold, 73, was pronounced dead at the scene about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson.
“It was a family incident,” Arnold police Chief Josh Stanga said when asked what led to the stabbing.
Stanga said Rebold admitted to the stabbing. In a criminal complaint, police said he admitted to stabbing his mother in the throat and back, but detectives also witnessed multiple stab wounds to her head.
Police said Rebold was standing near his mother’s body in the street when they arrived on the scene. According to the criminal complaint, Rebold was covered in blood and identified himself as “the suspect” to police.
Stanga said a disturbance was reported in the 100 block of Liberty Avenue just after 5:30 p.m., and police spoke to neighbors who said they witnessed Rebold stabbing his mother in the middle of the street.
Authorities taped off a section of Liberty Avenue while police investigated at the scene for several hours. According to the complaint, officers found the knife used in the incident in the front yard of a home on Liberty Avenue.
Speaking later Sunday evening, Kristen Olszyk, who lives near where the incident occurred, said she moved to the neighborhood about 20 years ago and described it as a nice area with many families and older residents. The neighborhood is lined with well-kept homes.
“I saw all the ambulances flying down here. It concerned me because I know a lot of people on the street. Seeing this does not feel good,” Olszyk said.
“(The incident) could’ve been just at that house and nothing else will happen, but it will still be in my head that something else could go on,” she added.