Thomas Peter Rath, a 33-year-old man, was forcibly kidnapped on May 20, 2023, from a homeless encampment known as 'The Jungle,' located behind a Lowe's in Ithaca, New York. Rath was subsequently subjected to hours of torture before his death on May 21, 2023. His body was later discovered on August 3, 2023, buried in a shallow grave on state land in the town of Candor.
The investigation into Rath's disappearance and murder was extensive, involving hundreds of interviews and the execution of over 40 search warrants across Tompkins and Tioga counties, and extending into Maine. This wide-ranging investigation led to the arrest of thirteen individuals on A-I level felonies in connection with the case. The suspects were all known to Rath, and police have stated that the kidnapping was not a random act of violence.
Among the numerous individuals charged, several faced accusations of murder and kidnapping. Joseph M. Howell, 37, of Newfield, was charged with first and second-degree murder, kidnapping, and witness intimidation. Colleen E. Dillon, 31, of Newfield, was also charged with first and second-degree murder and kidnapping. Jonathan Glennon, 31, of Ithaca, and David C. Maycumber, 41, of Newfield, faced similar charges of murder and kidnapping. Angelo Baez, 48, was also put on trial for first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree kidnapping. Another suspect, Kysha S. Radcliff, 39, of Lansing, was charged with first-degree kidnapping.
The motive for the crime was not immediately released by authorities, with indications that it would be addressed during court proceedings. The investigation revealed that after being abducted from 'The Jungle,' Rath was taken to a residence at 70 Benjamin Hill Road in Newfield where he was tortured in a garage.
In October 2024, a Tioga County jury found Joseph M. Howell guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and three counts of intimidating a witness. Subsequently, in February 2025, a judge sentenced Howell to a minimum of 31 years in prison. As part of a plea deal, Colleen Dillon pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of kidnapping in exchange for her testimony against co-defendants, resulting in a sentence of 10 years in prison with five years of supervision. The trials and legal proceedings for the other numerous defendants are at various stages.
