Palmer Man Charged in Peach Street Homicide

This story was initially published Friday, Oct. 25 but has since been updated/edited.

Easton police are set to charge a 20-year-old Palmer Township man in the death of a woman in the city's West Ward last month.

Kahmir DeLapara, of 2723 Victoria Lane, will be charged with criminal homicide in the death of Amanda Stratford, who was found dead on Peach Street on Sept. 22.

DeLapara had been arrested Friday morning following a drug raid on the South Side. Police had said they were also searching 315 Palmer St. for evidence connected to Stratford's death.

Stratford, 28, of Nanticoke, Luzerne County, was found shot to death in a pick-up truck on the 100 block of S. Peach Street—an alley between 13th and 14th streets.

Police say witnesses heard gunshots in the area before the woman's body was discovered.

City police have said Stratford—who went by the street name "Money"—was involved in the Easton area drug trade, and while they haven't commented on a motive, they have said they believe Stratford knew whoever killed her.

Police say the drugs found in the Palmer Street home were packaged in a way consistent with narcotics sales. 

In addition to DeLapara, police also arrested Kelly Craven, 31, who lives at the Palmer Street address. 

Craven was arraigned before District Judge Daniel Corpora on felony drug charges and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.