NEW PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — From two teenagers going missing earlier this week and two bodies being found in the woods nearby, the community of New Philadelphia has experienced a lot over the last few days.
It was just after 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, when according to state police Angelito Caraballo, 16, was last seen at his home in New Philadelphia.
Just 19 hours later, on Monday, October 9, Hunter Mock, 19, of New Philadelphia, was also reported missing.
The next day, Tuesday morning, just after 3:25 a.m., state police say two bodies were found in a wooded area off of Ferndale Road.
This was around the same time Joe Spotts, who said he lives nearby, said he heard people in the woods behind his home.
“We could hear all kinds of screaming and hollering going on maybe a quarter mile half a mile back in the woods. You couldn't make out what they were saying. It was all just kind of screaming and hollering,” Spotts said.
The Schuylkill County coroner's office pronounced the people found in the woods dead Tuesday.
While there was no confirmation from state police or any law enforcement officials, after numerous Facebook posts late Tuesday night throughout the day Wednesday claimed the two missing boys, Mock and Caraballo, had passed away.
The Pottsville Area School District posted on Facebook the text of an email sent to the school family saying Caraballo had died. The post said they are offering assistance to students and parents who might be seeking counseling following the announcement of his death.
There is still a lot we don't know, but a few things we do.
Two boys disappeared, two bodies were found in a wooded area, and two families are grieving.
Newswatch 16 is asking the state police for more information.