In late March 2023, 66-year-old Michael Maisner of Summit Township, Erie, Pennsylvania, was reported missing by his family, who last had contact with him on March 27. Concerned by the lack of communication, they alerted the Pennsylvania State Police, prompting a welfare check at his residence on Crestview Drive. During the initial visit, troopers discovered unusual writings on the walls but found no sign of Maisner. A subsequent search revealed a warm burn pit on the property containing suspected human bone fragments and fibers matching missing carpet from the home. Additionally, a large section of carpet and padding had been removed from the front entry, and the ceiling appeared to have been recently cleaned. Blood splatter, cleaning items, and bleach-stained clothing were also found inside the residence.
The investigation led authorities to Marisa Rodriguez, 35, who was found living in Maisner's attic. She claimed to be caring for his cats and stated she hadn't seen him in weeks. However, she was later apprehended in Chautauqua County, New York, driving Maisner's missing Cadillac, and was charged with vehicle theft. Further examination of Rodriguez's digital footprints uncovered incriminating evidence, including online searches such as "how to shoot someone," "how long does it take to burn a dead body," and "cutting a dead body with a chainsaw." Photos and videos stored in her iCloud account depicted Maisner with gunshot wounds, lying in a pool of blood, and images of a revolver. These findings, combined with surveillance footage showing Rodriguez purchasing items like a gas can and chainsaw using Maisner's bank card, strengthened the case against her.
On June 16, 2023, Pennsylvania State Police charged Rodriguez with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse, and related offenses in connection with Maisner's death. She was held without bond in Erie County Prison. In September 2024, Rodriguez was found mentally competent to stand trial. The case garnered significant media attention due to the gruesome nature of the crime and the digital evidence linking Rodriguez to the murder.
