State police say video from a Westmoreland County home recorded a prolonged assault before the victim was found dead on the porch.
SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A 29-year-old Westmoreland County man is charged with criminal homicide after Pennsylvania State Police said surveillance video showed him assaulting his mother for more than an hour outside their home before she was found dead Sunday morning.
Jakob Korber was arrested in the death of his mother, Christin Hamilton, after authorities searched the Sewickley Township area for him. The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office said investigators reviewing video from the residence saw an argument between Korber and Hamilton followed by a violent assault on the front porch. The charge is an accusation, and Korber is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Troopers were called Sunday morning to a residence on Herminie West Newton Road after a relative found Hamilton severely injured on the front porch and called 911. Authorities said Hamilton was dead when police arrived. The Westmoreland County coroner identified her after the discovery.
Investigators said the home’s surveillance system became a key source of evidence. According to the district attorney’s office, the recording showed Korber using his hands, feet and objects from the porch during the assault. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said the video indicated the attack continued for more than an hour.
Limani said Hamilton appeared to have been beginning her morning when the confrontation started. Police said she called for help during the assault, but people nearby, including a family member who was inside the home, did not hear her. Authorities have described the recording as difficult to watch. Officials have not publicly identified a motive for the alleged attack.
Police said Korber left the property after the assault. Limani said investigators believe he changed clothes and spent time in a nearby field. State police began searching the area and released information about Korber while asking the public to report sightings.
Korber was taken into custody Sunday evening after he was seen walking near the residence. Video recorded by KDKA-TV showed him approaching the area before officers confronted him. He went to the ground as directed and was arrested without incident, according to police.
During a later interview with investigators, police said Korber indicated that if Hamilton was dead, he was responsible for causing her death. Limani said Korber showed some remorse during the interview. Authorities have not released a full recording or transcript of the interview, and the statement described by police has not been tested in court.
The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office said Korber was charged with one count of criminal homicide and denied bail after his arraignment. Limani said investigators were continuing to work on the case and that additional charges could be considered as the investigation develops.
Korber was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison. CBS Pittsburgh reported that a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14, when prosecutors would be expected to present evidence supporting the charge as the criminal case moves forward.
Author note: Last updated September 1, 2026.