Forensic pathologist: Ligonier woman found buried in Cook died by homicide

Exactly four months after the remains of a Ligonier woman were found buried on a property in Cook, a forensic pathologist has ruled her death a homicide.

Amy Shipley, 45, was reported missing Sept. 13, five days after she was last seen.

Ligonier Valley police and FBI Pittsburgh’s evidence response team found her remains Sept. 17 buried in a 5-foot-deep makeshift grave on a residential property along Helens Lane.

Police suspected Shipley’s boyfriend — Roger A. Angelo Jr., 48 — was involved in her disappearance. Angelo, who lived with Shipley, was found dead with self-inflicted knife wounds Sept. 19 in their Ligonier home, about 9 miles from where Shipley’s remains were unearthed.

Following an autopsy and toxicology examinations, forensic pathologist Jennifer Hammers determined Shipley died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. Hammers uncovered several broken bones in various stages of healing.

Shipley likely died in her home Sept. 8 before she was buried on the Helens Lane property, Hammers said.

The Westmoreland County Detective Bureau is investigating. To share information on the investigation, call 724-830-3287.