Marlene Sue Newcomer, a 26-year-old woman from Connellsville, Pennsylvania, tragically lost her life on January 2, 1980. She had left a New Year's Eve party in Vandergrift and was driving home when she encountered two men, John Lesko and Michael Travaglia, who were hitchhiking on Route 66 near Mamont. Newcomer offered them a ride, but instead of gratitude, she was handcuffed and her car was taken. The men drove her to Indiana County, where they committed a robbery at a convenience store.
After the robbery, they shot Newcomer and left her body in her car at a Pittsburgh parking garage.
The investigation into Newcomer's death was part of a larger case known as the "Kill for Thrill" murders. Lesko and Travaglia were quickly identified as suspects and were arrested on January 3, 1980, after a series of additional murders and robberies. The two men were charged with homicide and criminal conspiracy in the deaths of Newcomer, Peter Levato, and William Nicholls. They were also charged with the murder of Apollo police officer Leonard Miller.
The case garnered significant media attention due to the brutality and senselessness of the crimes. Lesko and Travaglia were eventually sentenced to death by a Westmoreland County jury in February 1981. Despite numerous appeals and stays of execution, both men remained on death row for decades.
The "Kill for Thrill" murders highlighted the dangers of hitchhiking and the potential for random acts of violence. The case also underscored the importance of swift and thorough police investigations in bringing perpetrators to justice. The tragic death of Marlene Sue Newcomer remains a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the need for vigilance in personal safety.
