Allegheny County police investigate death of Moon Township man found in drainage tunnel

Allegheny County police are investigating the death of a male who was found in a drainage tunnel.

Moon Township Police responded to the 100 block of Fern Hollow Road for a domestic disturbance around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to a report from Allegheny County police. When officers arrived, the victim’s ex-boyfriend was no longer there. Officers stayed in the area in case he returned.

At approximately 3:44 a.m., the man returned but fled when he saw a police vehicle, according to police. Officers found his vehicle unoccupied on Randy Lane but did not find the male. Moon police got an arrest warrant charging the male with harassment and continued to search the area for him. He was found at around 9 p.m. dead inside a drainage tunnel, according to police.

Detectives from the Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit are investigating They believe the suspect fled from his vehicle into a wooded area. As he ran through the wooded area, it appears that he fell from a small cliff, according to the report. He was then able to make his way into the sewer tunnel, where he was found.

The Allegheny Medical Examiner identified the man as 35-year-old Panayioti R. Rauseo from Moon Township. The exact cause of death has not been released at this time.

Channel 11 saw officers in a wooded area along University Boulevard near the Sewickley Bridge late Wednesday night.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the Allegheny County Police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.

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