On April 8, 2024, in Scott Township, Pennsylvania, 53-year-old William "Billy" George Rabatin Sr. was tragically killed alongside 50-year-old Christy Reeves. The incident occurred at Rabatin's residence on Great Oak Drive, where both victims were found with fatal gunshot wounds. Authorities identified the perpetrator as 50-year-old Dennis Rahuba, who had been in a long-term relationship with Reeves, which she was in the process of ending.
Reeves had recently begun a new relationship with Rabatin.
According to police reports, Rahuba entered Rabatin's home through an unlocked back door shortly before 3 a.m. and shot both victims. After the shootings, Rahuba contacted his adult children to inform them of his actions; they subsequently alerted the authorities. Law enforcement officials were able to trace Rahuba's location through his cell phone. A detective trained in negotiation engaged Rahuba in a phone conversation in an attempt to apprehend him peacefully.
Rahuba fled the scene in a black Acura, heading southbound. Around 7 a.m., deputies from the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office in West Virginia spotted his vehicle on Interstate 77 near Big Chimney. When officers attempted a traffic stop at the Westmoreland exit, they heard a single gunshot from within the car. After securing the area and deploying a SWAT team, they approached the vehicle and found Rahuba deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
William Rabatin was remembered as a devoted father to his daughter, Jordan, and son, William Jr. He was a long-time steamfitter with Local 449 and had a deep passion for Pittsburgh sports teams, particularly the Penguins and Steelers. His unexpected passing left a profound impact on his family and community, who mourned the loss of a man known for his quick wit, love for his family, and dedication to his work.
