SCRANTON, Pa. — A man faces charges after another man was found dead in Scranton.
Police say they found Richard Hazelton dead inside a home along Rock Street around 8 a.m. Wednesday.
According to the coroner, Hazelton was strangled to death. His death has been ruled a homicide.
Police believe William Auriemma is responsible.
According to arrest paperwork, Auriemma, 52, lives at the home on Rock Street and called 911 on Wednesday to report a burglary at his home. Officers discovered Hazleton's body in the bathroom.
Auriemma admits the body is of the man who broke into the house and that they fought. The man has stab wounds, a sweater around his neck, and duct tape and handcuffs on his wrists.
Officers said Auriemma's girlfriend, who identified the dead man as Richard Hazelton, said he and Auriemma were both recently released from the same rehab and that Hazleton had been staying with them.
In a second interview with police, Auriemma continued to deny he knew Hazleton.
Investigators also found some of Hazelton's belongings, including an ID, in the garbage can outside the Rock Street home.
People who live nearby say they are shocked by what they've seen in a neighborhood that hasn't had anything like this happen.
"It's scary," Cindy Barber said. "My kids are asking questions, and I'm trying to do my best putting it into words that don't have to make them feel scared."
"My mother-in-law called me and said that there was cop cars there, and I was like, 'Whoa, OK.' I got home, and I heard about the murder," Tracy Rekus said.
"Knowing that somebody a few steps from your home has been murdered is just sad," Barber added.
Auriemma currently faces aggravated assault charges. There is no word from Scranton police on whether more charges will be filed.