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Death penalty to be sought for man accused of killing 73-year-old in McKees Rocks

MCKEES ROCKS, Pa. — The death penalty will be sought against a man suspected in the death of a 73-year-old man, who was found dead in June in McKees Rocks, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. announced Friday.

Branden Frazier, 25, was arrested days after Benito Nicoletti’s body was found inside his home on Vine Street.

Officials said Nicoletti was found after his family asked police to check on him because they had not seen him. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.

According to a criminal complaint, several witnesses placed Frazier in and around Nicoletti’s home in the days before and after the homicide. They also linked him to Nicoletti’s car, which was missing.

Frazier is charged with homicide, burglary, receiving stolen property, theft of a motor vehicle and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.