KENNEDY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Three men have been arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of a man from Westmoreland County, according to Allegheny County police. The homicide is believed to have stemmed from an outstanding business debt of nearly $440,000.
In an update late Saturday night, county police identified Jeremy Fisher, 41, of Coraopolis, William Fortuna, 58, of Conway, and Braden Elliott, 20, of Chicora, as the three men charged in the death of George Dayieb, 57, of Murrysville. The three are facing criminal homicide, criminal conspiracy, and abuse of a corpse charges.
According to police, Dayieb was reported missing and endangered by his significant other to Murrysville police on Wednesday afternoon. His unoccupied pickup truck was found by Kennedy Township police later that day. Detectives discovered that Dayieb had left his home earlier that morning to meet with Fisher to collect a large debt owed by Fisher for equipment Dayieb had purchased for their excavation company.
Police allege that Fisher conspired with the other two men to kill Dayieb, with Fortuna providing Fisher with a revolver to carry out the murder. Elliott, Fisher’s nephew, was promised a diesel truck in exchange for helping to murder Dayieb, according to criminal complaints. Security footage showed Dayieb entering Fisher’s vehicle at a gas station, followed by a failed attempt by Elliott to shoot Dayieb while on the road.
After several failed attempts, Dayieb was eventually shot and killed by Elliott, and his body was driven to a campsite by Elliott at Fisher’s request, where it was hidden in an abandoned trailer. Dayieb’s body was discovered by state police after a search warrant was secured, and all three men have been arrested in connection with the murder.
A preliminary hearing for Elliott and Fortuna has been scheduled for Jan. 12, and both are being held at the Allegheny County Jail. Fisher is currently at a local hospital after suffering a medical emergency during his arrest, according to a police spokesperson.
County police Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph commended the detectives for their relentless investigation, emphasizing that holidays don’t matter when it comes to resolving cases like this.
The case highlights the serious consequences of unpaid debt and the extreme measures some individuals are willing to take to settle financial disputes. The tragic outcome serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking peaceful and legal resolutions to financial conflicts.