In the quiet borough of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, the life of 39-year-old Catherine Kriebel was tragically cut short on a Sunday afternoon in November of 2017. A female resident of the community, Kriebel was found deceased on the side porch of her home on East Main Street, the victim of an apparent domestic dispute that had escalated to violence. The discovery was made after police responded to reports of a domestic incident with possible gunshots fired in the 500 block of the street at
approximately 2:30 p.m. on November 19th.
The investigation into her death quickly identified a suspect, 50-year-old Gerald Fusner, also a resident of Kutztown. He was located across the street from Kriebel's residence with a gunshot wound to his neck. Authorities reported that Fusner was transported by medevac to Lehigh Valley Hospital for treatment and was expected to survive his injuries. The incident was investigated as a criminal homicide, bringing a significant police presence to the normally peaceful neighborhood, including the Berks County District Attorney's Office Forensic Services Unit and the Berks County Coroner's Office.
Following the initial investigation, Gerald Fusner was charged in connection with Catherine Kriebel's death. The charges filed against him were extensive and included first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and two counts of aggravated assault. Additionally, he faced a charge of possessing instruments of crime with intent. An autopsy was scheduled to officially determine Kriebel's cause of death. Information regarding the resolution of the charges against Fusner, including details of any trial or subsequent conviction, is not available in the provided online sources.
