Local

Missing woman’s body found along trail near Geneva College, death ruled a homicide

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. — Beaver Falls are investigating after a missing woman was found stabbed Thursday morning on a walking trail off College Avenue, right behind the track at Geneva College.

Officers were first called to the scene just before 9:30 a.m. and spent nearly nine hours investigating along the quarter-mile trail.

“It’s pretty scary, honestly,” said Kayla Lefebvre, a Geneva College student.

Lefebvre says she received an email from the school Thursday morning about the body being found.

A school spokesperson confirmed to Channel 11 that the woman was not a Geneva student or employee.

Sources have identified the victim as Rebecca Miller, 41. A preliminary autopsy showed multiple stab wounds.

“I got the email during class and I read it and I was like, it was kind of shocking,” Lefebvre said. “I was like, ‘That’s so close to Geneva campus, that’s a college campus, that’s scary.’”

Investigators say she left her home Sunday and never returned. A missing person’s report was taken for Miller on Tuesday.

“This is a rough one for all of us. We all felt this one,” said Assistant Chief William Giska, with nearby Conway Fire Department. He and several of his firefighters were at the scene Thursday.

According to Giska, the woman’s family also spent several hours there alongside first responders and investigators as they collected evidence.

“I had the family in my rehab tent. We would’ve done anything for them,” Giska said. “There is nothing that can comfort at this point. To simply say, ‘I’m sorry,’ just doesn’t do enough. My heart goes out to them.”

The investigation into the woman’s death is still ongoing, but according to Beaver Falls Police, there is not believed to be any threat to the community.

A spokesperson for Geneva College shared the following statement on the incident:

“Geneva College is in full cooperation with our Emergency Response teams for any assistance they may need during this process. We have received confirmation that the deceased is not a member of the Geneva College community. As always, the safety of our campus is our utmost priority, and we do not see any immediate threat to the college community.”

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW