In the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 7, 2017, the quiet neighborhood of Turtle Creek was disturbed by a tragic event that claimed the life of 34-year-old Sarah Villarreal. Police were called to a residence on Watson Drive shortly after 4 a.m. where they discovered the bodies of Villarreal and a man identified as 43-year-old Daniel Connelly. Both individuals resided in the home where they were found.
Investigators from the Allegheny County police determined that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. It is believed that Connelly shot and killed Villarreal before turning the gun on himself. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have stated that they do not believe a third party was involved in the incident.
Neighbors expressed their shock at the violent nature of the deaths in what they described as a typically quiet area. Some residents indicated that they had previous concerns about Connelly and had requested his eviction from the property. Court records also showed that a civil complaint had been filed against Connelly for unpaid rent. Concern was also raised by neighbors for a young girl who reportedly lived in the home. An obituary for Sarah Villarreal mentioned she was a loving mother to her daughter, Mia McPherson.
As the investigation concluded that the deaths were a murder-suicide with the perpetrator also deceased, no arrests were made in the case. The Turtle Creek police chief acknowledged that officers had been called to the apartment in the past, but for unrelated matters. The incident left the community and Sarah's loved ones to grapple with the sudden and tragic loss.
