Police Investigate Williams Township Homicide

Authorities are investigating a homicide at a home in Williams Township.

Mark W. Werkheiser, 38, was found dead in his home Thursday morning. Police are looking for his ex-wife, Elizabeth Collazo, according to the Express-Times. District Attorney John Morganelli called her a "person of interest" in the case.

Werkheiser lived at 850 Browns Drive in Williams, about 4 miles south of the Easton exit on Interstate 78.

County Coroner Zachary Lysek said he had been shot multiple times. 

"We do not believe it was a random act," First Deputy Assistant District Attorney Terry Houck said Thursday afternoon. "Neighbors don't need to be worried."

According to court records, Werkheiser and Collazo had filed protection-from-abuse orders from each other last year, he on June 23, she the following day.

Werkheiser accused his wife of being physically abusive to him and their twin daughters; one of the girls was allegedly stabbed in the chest with a pencil. They have two younger children, both boys.

In turn, Collazo, 42, accused Werkheiser of threatening her, and breaking her hand.

"About five months ago, he threatened to dig a hole in the back of [the] woods and put me in there so no one could find me," Collazo said in the PFA. 

She had also filed another PFA against Werkheiser in 2007, saying he was physically violent and mentally abusive.

"He gave me a bullet and a card for my birthday and told me that he would see me on the other side," Collazo said.

All three PFAs were eventually dismissed.

Werkheiser and Collazo were due in court today for a custody hearing, according to court records.

The Express-Times reported that another court order listed Werkheiser as dead, although it did not connect him to the Williams Township homicide.

Yellow crime scene tape spanned the entire front of the property, where investigators used what Lysek described as a "scan station," which determines the path of bullets, on the front lawn.

Behind the home was a pen housing at least four dogs: three pugs, and a larger black dog. Lysek said there were more dogs in cages inside the house. 

A neighbor -- she'd only give her first name, Charlotte -- came by, very concerned about the dogs, and the police presence.

"I know something bad happened," she said.

She wanted to know who would take care of the dogs. Lysek promised her they were working on that, but said the SPCA didn't have room. 

Houck said he could not remember the last homicide in the township.

In 2001, a woman's body was found in the woods in Williams. That case eventually made it to America' Most Wanted.