Family of slain motel owner says police close to finding his suspected killer

JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa. — Days after authorities issued a warrant for the arrest of a man suspected of killing a Jefferson Hills motel owner, his family said authorities are close to tracking down the wanted man.

The victim, 78-year-old Dehnad Taiedi, was working the front desk at the Jefferson Hills Motel on Route 51 when he was shot and killed in the early morning hours of May 27.

"He didn't die. He was murdered. Someone took his life,” Taiedi’s stepdaughter, Carrie Simpson, said.

Allegheny County Police issued an arrest warrant Saturday for 60-year-old Derrick Gallaway.

Taiedi’s family members told Channel 11 News Thursday that the search was intensifying and that Gallaway could be in the Clairton area, hiding out with friends.

"County has turned it on to the U.S. Marshals, so this is an active case. Like, people want this man to be apprehended,” Simpson said.

Allegheny County police released a new wanted flyer Thursday that revealed the first photo of Gallaway since the warrant was issued. The flyer states that the California native goes by 10 different aliases from David Champan to Kevin Lloyd Nelson.

Simpson said she doesn't care what name he responds to, she just wants the public to help find him.

"We will never forget you. We will not let you sleep. We want you to know that we're out here,” she said. “We're going to keep hoping something might come through, and we'll never give up because he didn't give up on us.”

A cash reward of more than $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to Gallaway's arrest.

Police said anyone who sees Gallaway should not approach him and instead call 911 immediately.

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