LEHIGHTON, Pa. — "Mindnumbing, I don't think anybody has truly had it all sit in at this point. What actually occurred and what happened it's been horrible," said Megan Bernosky, Edward Whitehead Jr.'s niece.
Megan Bernosky is one of many family members now grieving after the alleged murder of her uncle, Edward Whitehead Jr. of Lehighton.
Whitehead Jr.'s neighbor, Zak Moyer, faces criminal homicide charges.
According to court documents, Moyer told police he believed his neighbors were murderers.
Police say Moyer and Whitehead Jr. had gotten into an argument on Monday.
Moyer allegedly came back to Whitehead's home along Carbon Street later wearing a Halloween mask investigators describe as being consistent with the Scream movie character.
Moyer was armed with a knife and a small chainsaw. He admitted to stabbing Whitehead Jr. in the head with the knife before going back home and waiting for police to arrive.
The next day, police responded to the neighborhood again.
Officers say Zak Moyer's father, Francis Moyer, was harassing the Whitehead family following his son's arrest. The elder Moyer was arrested on harassment and related charges.
"I just don't know what kind of people or people in this world that could do that. That's the sad thing," said Jennifer Whitehead, Edward Whitehead Jr.'s niece.
Zak Moyer allegedly told police he believed the victim killed women and children last summer, something Whitehead Jr.'s other niece, Jennifer, says is a lie, "They are focusing on the person who did the crime and not the victim and their family."
Following his death, both nieces hope their uncle is remembered for his kind nature, love for his family, and his distinctive laugh.
"You never knew if he was stressed. Frustrated when you were with him; he just was a rock to a lot of people, and I wish people got to see that of him," explained Jennifer.
"I mean, I think it's safe to say that we want absolute justice for our uncle. He deserves that," added Megan.
Zak Moyer is currently being held without bail in the Carbon County Prison. His father, Francis Moyer, is also locked up on harassment charges.