2 more grieving women pranked by abduction calls

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Police in Westmoreland County said at least four women with recently deceased relatives have been victimized by the same prank caller.

Investigators said the caller tells the women that their relative has been abducted and tied up. The male voice goes into graphic detail, but never asks for any money.

The first two women were called last month after their husbands recently died and, in each case, the caller used the specific name of a relative who was allegedly being held captive.

One of the victims was a woman living at Redstone Highlands, a senior living community, after her husband died.

“The wife, who is still living here, received a phone call that a family member was being held captive and was actually being strip-searched,” Redstone Highlands Director Kim Kelly said.

Kelly said the facility called her relatives to make sure everyone was safe, then alerted police.

The two latest calls, reported to Greensburg police Wednesday, were received by women whose sisters had recently died.

Police believe the caller is targeting surviving relatives named in newspaper obituaries.

Greensburg police Chief Wally Lyons said, "It appears that someone has a very poor sense of humor."

Lyons said they’re taking the harassing phone calls very seriously, and plan to prosecute whoever is responsible.

WPXI