A Pennsylvania man, Chase Steigerwald, 34, is facing a criminal homicide charge after investigators concluded he allegedly stabbed his friend, Rachel Roman, 45, to death and then manipulated the scene to make the fatal injuries appear self-inflicted.
Steigerwald is currently being held without bond at the Clarion County Jail in connection with Roman’s death. Police found the victim’s body in his apartment on the morning of November 5 after Steigerwald placed a 911 call.
The Alibi That Unraveled
According to the criminal complaint obtained by Explore Jefferson, Steigerwald initially told responding officers he and a female companion had returned from a walk to find Roman deceased inside his residence.
However, his companion provided a starkly different account to detectives. The witness stated she was in another room when she heard “gurgling/choking noises” coming from the living area. Upon investigating, she found Roman bleeding on the floor while Steigerwald was hastily packing a backpack, allegedly telling the witness they “needed to leave.”
Staging the Scene
Police cited surveillance footage showing the pair leaving the home at 5:05 a.m. and returning at 6:38 a.m. During this timeframe, while walking in the neighborhood, Steigerwald allegedly confessed his intent to the woman: he wanted to make Roman’s death “look like a suicide.”
The witness further claimed that upon their return, she watched Steigerwald stage the scene by picking up a knife from the floor and placing it into the deceased woman’s hand to leave fingerprints. She also accused him of hiding a bottle of methamphetamine in the couch cushions where the victim had been sitting.
Timeline and Evidence
Investigators pieced together a timeline using neighbor accounts and electronic records:
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A neighbor reported a loud party at Steigerwald’s apartment abruptly ended around midnight, after which the home became “very quiet.”
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A second witness reported being on a FaceTime call with Steigerwald around midnight and seeing him brandish a fixed-blade knife—consistent with the weapon found—while arguing with Roman.
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Roman’s phone activity ceased shortly after, with her final text sent at 11:39 p.m. and her phone powered off by 12:20 a.m.
Forensic analysis revealed an attempt to clean up, with blood discovered in the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and on a bottle of dish soap. An autopsy confirmed Roman died from a stab wound to the neck and had sustained additional wounds to her face, chest, and arms.
Steigerwald reportedly admitted the knife was his and that he had used “molly” before calling 911. Originally arrested on drug charges, those counts were dropped this week as the more severe criminal homicide charge was filed. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 2.
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