Woman accused of attacking husband with hatchet

A wife and mother of three is accused of trying to kill her husband with a hatchet in Armstrong County.

Police found Melanie Snyder, of Ford City, covered in blood walking down Garretts Run Road just before 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Police said the couple’s three children were home at the time of the attack.

District Attorney Scott Andreassi said the couple’s 17-year-old daughter called Manor Township 911 to report that her mother was hitting her father with an ax.

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The teenager was in the home at the time with her brothers, ages 13 and 6, and all all three children ran to a neighbor’s yard for safety.

Manor Township Police Chief Eric Petrosky said the daughter stayed on the phone with emergency dispatchers until police arrived at the scene.

Petrosky said he found the victim, 41-year-old Thomas Snyder in a bed bleeding profusely. Snyder had suffered major head and neck injuries, police said.

Police found an 18-inch hatchet outside the house where, investigators say, one of the children had thrown it to get it away from their mother.

Investigators said, given his injuries, it appears Thomas Snyder was probably sleeping at the time of the attack. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian, where he underwent surgery late Thursday.

As of Thursday afternoon, investigators said they don’t have a motive. They said Melanie Snyder’s demeanor was stoic when they found her walking, and she did not appear to be upset.

Melanie Snyder is facing charges of attempted homicide. Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage.

Cox Media Group