A 25-year-old man from Roseville, California, is facing a homicide charge after troopers discovered an unidentified man’s body under a blanket along State Route 441 in Londonderry Township on Saturday morning. Investigators say the find immediately triggered a homicide probe, and a suspect was taken into custody out of state and is now awaiting extradition. Authorities have not released the victim’s name or the cause of death while they continue to gather evidence.
Scene and discovery
According to a Pennsylvania State Police news release, troopers found the man on the southbound shoulder of State Route 441 in the 1800 block of River Road around 10 a.m. Saturday. The victim is described as a white man with dark brown hair, facial hair, and brown eyes, about 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, wearing black shorts and a black Oakland Raiders shirt. Troopers are asking anyone who might recognize that description or who has information about the case to contact PSP-Harrisburg at 717-671-7500.
Suspect and charges
Online court records list Ilia Romanchenko as the defendant, charged with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, possession of an instrument of crime, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, according to CBS Pittsburgh. The outlet reports that Romanchenko, 25, of Roseville, was arrested out of state and is waiting to be brought back to Pennsylvania. Dauphin County officials have not said why he was in the area. Court filings indicate he is awaiting a preliminary arraignment.
Investigators seeking tips
Local coverage indicates a stretch of River Road was shut down while troopers processed the scene and collected evidence. WGAL and other outlets have repeated state police calls for the public’s help, sharing the victim’s description and the PSP-Harrisburg tip line at 717-671-7500. Investigators have not released any information about a possible motive or how the victim died.
Legal implications
The counts Romanchenko faces are serious felony charges under Pennsylvania law and could bring lengthy prison sentences if a jury convicts him. Prosecutors are expected to move forward once he is brought to Dauphin County, and CBS Pittsburgh cited online court records listing the charges. As of publication, neither defense counsel nor Dauphin County prosecutors had publicly commented.
Pennsylvania State Police and Dauphin County detectives say their investigation is ongoing and that more details could be released as the case progresses. Anyone with information is urged to call PSP-Harrisburg at 717-671-7500.
