Susan Suzy Jeanette Wolfe, aged 44, was tragically murdered in her East Liberty, Pittsburgh home on February 6, 2014. She was found alongside her sister, Sarah Wolfe, who was 38 years old. Both women were shot in the head, and their bodies were discovered in the basement of their home. The sisters had moved to Pittsburgh in October 2013, and Susan had been working at Hillel Academy in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
The investigation into their deaths led to the arrest of their next-door
neighbor, Allen Wade, a convicted felon with a history of violent crime. Wade was charged with the double homicide, and the case went to trial in May 2016. During the trial, forensic evidence, including DNA analysis using TrueAllele technology, linked Wade to the crime scene. Fingernails from Susan Wolfe's right hand and a Hanes sock found on Whitfield Street connected Wade to the murders with overwhelming statistical evidence.
On May 24, 2016, Allen Wade was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges related to the deaths of Susan and Sarah Wolfe. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on May 26, 2016. The Wolfe family, devastated by the loss, has since been advocating for justice and honoring the memory of Susan and Sarah through the Sarah and Susan Wolfe Memorial Fund.
Susan Wolfe was born on December 30, 1969, in Des Moines, Iowa, and was the sixth of eight children in her family. She was known for her passionate commitment to family, friends, children, and various social causes. Susan had a career in education, working as a classroom and Special Education teacher in Chicago Public Schools and later at Hillel Academy in Pittsburgh. She was beloved by her students and her nieces and nephews, who adored her unconditional time and support.
The Wolfe family continues to remember Susan and Sarah for their contributions to their communities and the impact they had on the lives of those around them. The tragic loss of Susan and Sarah Wolfe remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing loved ones.
