Crime Solvers Central
CSC
268 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Joseph Sommer death by force case profile photo

Joseph Sommer

Case from Washington-township, PA dated May 25, 2016

Victim Details

Joseph Sommer Jr

Male

White / Caucasian

Washington-township

PA

2016-05-25

48

Joseph

Sommer

07/26/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Joseph Sommer Jr., a 48-year-old man from Northampton, PA, tragically died on May 25, 2016. He was involved in a murder-suicide incident in Washington Township, Lehigh County. Sommer was shot and killed by Harry R. Bortz Jr., 34, who then turned the gun on himself. The incident occurred at a home near Slatington, and both men were pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy confirmed that Sommer's death was a homicide, while Bortz died by suicide.

The shooting was reported just before 11 p.m ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for Joseph Sommer, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • themorningcall.com: Northampton youth wrestling coach a victim in Slatington murder-suicide, police say
  • Joseph Sommer Jr, age 48 - National Gun Violence Memorial
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 2 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (2)

    It's so terrible to think about how deeply the Northampton wrestling community has been affected by ... ...Read More
    02/04/2025
    Has anyone else been following the impact this tragedy has had on the Northampton wrestling communit... ...Read More
    05/14/2023
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for Joseph Sommer

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from Washington-township, Pennsylvania

    Steven Mixon death by force case in Washington-township, PA

    Steven Mixon

    Death: Oct 17, 2014
    On October 17, 2014, 27-year-old Stephen Edward Mixon, a male of Caucasian descent from Pottstown, P ...Read More