On May 26, 2023, Richard Morgan, a 55-year-old resident of Altoona, Pennsylvania, was found dead in South Fork, Pennsylvania. Morgan had been reported missing by his family the previous day after failing to return home from an excavation job. His body was discovered in the garage of 22-year-old Austin Kline's residence on Lake Street in South Fork.
Investigations revealed that Kline had hired Morgan for excavation work at his property. After completing the initial job, Kline allegedly asked Morgan to consider additional projects in Blair and Cambria counties. According to Kline, Morgan expressed reluctance about taking on the additional work. Subsequently, Kline admitted to shooting Morgan multiple times with a .380 caliber handgun and then striking him with a landscaping tamper, causing fatal injuries.
Following the murder, Kline attempted to conceal the crime by disposing of Morgan's vehicle along Route 219 near the Route 53 exit. He was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse. Kline was denied bail and remains in custody at the Cambria County Prison.
The Cambria County District Attorney described the crime scene as "very much a gruesome scene, and was very hard to see," underscoring the brutality of the attack. Authorities have indicated that this was a targeted act, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
As of December 2024, Kline has appeared in court for formal arraignment, but a trial date has not yet been set. The investigation remains ongoing as the community awaits further developments in this tragic case.
