Stephanie Roof, a 46-year-old woman from Macungie, PA, tragically died on September 13, 2016. She was a divorced mother of two teenage children and worked as a supervisor at R&D Interconnect Solutions. Stephanie was well-known in her community for her friendly and caring nature, often seen walking her dog or working in her yard. She was also actively involved in the youth ministry at Bethany United Methodist Church in Allentown.
Stephanie was shot in her driveway around 1 a.m. as she was returning home from work. The incident shocked the quiet neighborhood, and police initially struggled to find a motive or suspect. However, after an extensive investigation, they discovered that Stephanie's neighbor, 35-year-old Josef Raszler, had a brief relationship with her that ended in the summer of 2015. Raszler, who lived directly across the street from Stephanie, became increasingly bitter and obsessed with her after the breakup.
On April 5, 2017, Josef Raszler was arrested and charged with criminal homicide. Investigators found that he used a homemade air rifle to shoot Stephanie with a metal projectile. The gun was crafted from plastic and copper piping, and the projectile was home-smelted lead. Raszler's trial began in March 2023, and prosecutors argued that his bitterness over the breakup and Roof's new relationship with her boyfriend, Shawn Cooper, led him to commit the crime.
The case drew significant attention due to the unusual weapon used and the complex investigation required to gather enough evidence. Raszler's trial highlighted the intense emotions and threats he made towards Stephanie in the months leading up to her death. Despite the tragic circumstances, Stephanie's legacy lives on through her children and the impact she had on her community.
Does this cover everything you were looking for?
