A missing autistic woman from Pennsylvania was allegedly killed by a man she met online.
Authorities claimed the man who killed Erica Shultz led them to her body in Luzerne County, according to the Philly Voice. Shultz’s body was discovered Sunday. Harold D. Haulman III was charged with criminal homicide, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse in connection to the death of Shultz, the outlet reported.
Missing Pa. Woman Was Allegedly Killed by Man She Met Online, Who Then Directed Police to Body https://t.co/LsqY50V5ky
— People (@people) December 29, 2020
Shultz had been last seen on Dec. 4 at her home, according to the outlet. Her disappearance caused an investigation due to suspicious circumstances, the Philly Voice reported. (RELATED: Missing Pregnant Woman’s Body Found In Boyfriend’s Freezer)
Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said authorities used phone records, an online dating website and the FBI to help with the investigation, according to local outlet WNEP.
“Through a search of her phone records, it was discovered that Erica’s last communication was an incoming text from a cell phone number that said ‘surprise’ and ‘knock-knock’ the investigators discovered that the cell phone was a track phone,” Salavntis told the outlet.
Haulman and Shultz reportedly met on a dating app called MeetMe.
Haulman confessed to the killing of Schultz and admitted to wanting to kill other women, the district attorney confirmed to WNEP.
“Walking her into the woods and hitting her with a mallet type hammer in stabbing her several times, leaving her where she lied,” Salavantis told the outlet.