Man charged in stabbing death of sister recently served 7-year prison sentence

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police charged a man who was recently released from a seven-year jail sentence Wednesday morning in connection with the stabbing death of his sister.

Officers said the victim, 31-year-old Lora Hoffman, was stabbed in the head, face and neck around 10:30 p.m. inside an apartment on Allendale Circle.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.  Officers learned that her brother, Chris Hoffman, ran from the house immediately after the stabbing.

Police arrested Chris Hoffman, 34, shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday in a wooded area between the West End Bridge and the Duquesne Incline.

Channel 11's Dave Bondy reported that Chris Hoffman was arrested after someone spotted him walking near railroad tracks in the area wearing blood-stained pants.

He was taken to the city homicide squad on the North Side for questioning.

“Initial information is that the brother and sister were arguing, possibly about him laying on the couch, and he went into the kitchen and returned with a knife and stabbed her,” Lt. Kevin Kraus said. “We believe there was more to the argument leading up to the stabbing and are continuing to investigate.”

Kraus said the siblings were at the home of their aunt, who was there with their grandmother when the killing occurred.

Chris Hoffman was previously arrested Aug. 29, 2006, after he robbed the Fifth Third Bank on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill.

Chris Hoffman entered the bank dressed as a woman and demanded cash from a teller. He gestured that he was carrying a gun in his purse.

After the teller handed Chris Hoffman cash, he fled the bank on foot. He was immediately tackled by pedestrians on the sidewalk outside the bank and held until officers arrived.

He served a jail sentence and was released on Friday.

Chris Hoffman is in the Allegheny County Jail charged with criminal homicide.

WPXI