In the summer of 2020, a welfare check at a home in Larksville, Pennsylvania, led to a grim discovery and unveiled a tragic story of domestic violence. On August 13th, police entered the residence of Richard and Patricia Walski on Schrader Street, where they were met with the smell of decomposition. The body of 38-year-old Patricia Walski was found inside, concealed in a garbage bag behind a door that had been secured with screws.
An autopsy later confirmed she had died from a gunshot wound to the head.
The investigation immediately focused on her husband, 46-year-old Richard Walski, who was nowhere to be found. As authorities delved deeper, a disturbing picture emerged of Richard's actions leading up to his wife's death. Investigators learned he had been liquidating personal assets, including a vehicle, firearms, his fishing boat, and even his wife's engagement ring, which he sold on July 30th. It was also discovered that his passport and several firearms were missing from the home, and an iPad belonging to him had been wiped clean of information.
As the search for Richard intensified, state police charged him with his wife's murder. He was described as an avid fisherman who frequented areas along the Susquehanna River and various fishing spots in New York state. Despite the ongoing manhunt, there was speculation about whether he was still alive and possibly in hiding. This question was tragically answered in December 2020, when human remains were discovered along the Susquehanna River in Newport Township. In February 2021, the Luzerne County District Attorney's office confirmed through DNA testing that the remains belonged to Richard Walski, bringing a somber end to the search and closing the murder case of Patricia Walski.
