Confidantes: Suspect dated woman who owned eastern Pa. home where 4 died in stabbing rampage

Confidantes: Victim in Pa. stabbings dated suspect

NORTHAMPTON, Pa. — Confidantes of a woman found stabbed to death along with three other people in her house in eastern Pennsylvania say the victim dated the man suspected in the rampage.

Nicole Young identified her close friend, Denise Merhi, as one of the victims of Saturday’s deadly attack in Northampton borough.

Young and Merhi’s cousin, Desiray Dolly, told The Associated Press on Sunday that Merhi dated the suspect briefly about two years ago. Authorities have not released the suspect’s name but planned a news conference later Sunday.

Another victim has been identified as 53-year-old Steven Zernhelt, Merhi’s next-door neighbor. David Zernhelt says his brother rushed over to help when he heard screaming from Zerhi’s house and was stabbed to death as he got through the front door.