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Homicide Investigation after Woman Found Dead in Mount Carmel

MOUNT CARMEL — Police in Northumberland County are investigating a homicide after a woman’s body was found in her own backyard under an open second-...

MOUNT CARMEL -- Police in Northumberland County are investigating a homicide after a woman's body was found in her own backyard under an open second-floor window in Mount Carmel.

Now, police say her boyfriend is a "person of interest" in the case.

“I love Penny,” said Robert Thurner who appeared to be crying as he left the Mount Carmel Police Department and was led away to be locked up on a probation charge.

This came hours after his girlfriend, Penny Mansfield, 38, was found dead in the backyard of their house on West Second Street in Mount Carmel after police and EMT’s responded for a report of cardiac arrest around 7:30 Friday morning.

“My husband and I were actually away for a few days and we came back and the whole street was quarantined off by the police,” said neighbor Helen Homolovich.

Police say Mansfield`s body was found beneath an open second-floor window.

She had head injuries and blood was on her face and clothes and they are calling this a homicide investigation.

Inside the home, officers found Mansfield's three-year-old son and Thurner, the boy's father.

According to a search warrant, neighbors told police they heard yelling that started the night before and that the yelling continued on and off through the night.

Investigators suspect domestic violence may be involved.

“There have been situations at that house before so it's not a humongous shock but it's still shocking because it's very close, very close to home,” said Homolovich.

“There was always that possibility of this happening, just to see it actually happen, well not see it but,” said Homolovich’s son, Robert.

The Mount Carmel Police Chief says Thurner has not been charged in this investigation but is a person of interest and the chief says the couple is known to law enforcement.

“We've had prior calls there,” said Chief Christopher Buhey.

Because Northumberland County still does not have a prison, Thurner is being held at the Columbia County Prison.

An autopsy for Mansfield is set for Monday.

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