Police Investigating Death of Williams Township Man

State police and the Northampton County District Attorney are investigating the death of a Williams Township man.

Michael Muretta, 47, of 418 Morgan Hill Road, was pronounced dead Wednesday at St. Luke's University Hospital, Fountain Hill, after being found suffering from undisclosed injuries in his home.

The death is being investigated as suspicious, according to a press release from the Lehigh County coroner's office.

According to police, the investigation began Wednesday morning when troopers were called to check on a resident at the home, near the Interstate 78 exit just outside of Easton.

Lt. Vincent D'Angelo said troopers found a man inside the home who was in need of medical assistance. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital and pronounced dead there at 1:15 p.m, the lieutenant said.

The Express-Times reports that an autospy is scheduled for Friday.

The death was unsettling for neighbor Ian McMasters.

"You never know if it was personal or random," he said, standing in a back yard that overlooks the Muretta property.

McMasters has lived in his place for two years and said he interacted with Muretta on occasion. Muretta invited him over for a beer, "but I don't drink," McMasters said.

"He was a nice guy, a quiet guy," he said.

Muretta and his wife, Teresa, had divorced recently, and McMasters said he hadn't seen Muretta as much.

The Morning Call says they had been separated since last year.

Muretta had a yellow lab, Marley, that he'd often walk around the neighborhood.

"It's weird," McMasters said. "Normally I'd see him every day, taking the dog out. But I haven't seen him in a week."

Muretta has owned the home since 1998, according to Northampton County property records.

In 2009, he was featured in a Morning Call story after he and Teresa learned their home would be part of a new "solid waste district" caused by the expansion of the Chrin Brothers landfill.

Williams Township Supervisor George Washburn told the Express-Times Muretta was active in the community, serving on the Committee to Save Williams Township, which opposed the landfill exapnsion.

This is the second death investigation in Williams Township this year. In March, an . Police say Elizabeth "Lily" Collazo shot Werkheiser to death as he slept. The two were involved in a custody battle.