Missing man, 53, found dead at furniture store where he had once been employed
MIKE STAUGAITIS/Staff Photo The vehicle of Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley and a hearse sit outside of Shimock's Furniture, Kulpmont, Wednesday afternoon, when a former employee was found dead in the business's display area. The man was reported missing Sunday.
KULPMONT - Employees at Shimock's Furniture made a shocking discovery Wednesday morning when they found the body of a missing man in the display area.
Leon Pielacha Jr., 53, of Kulpmont, a former Shimock's employee, was last seen alive on Saturday in Kulpmont, according to Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley.
Kelley pronounced Pielacha dead at the scene at 10:50 a.m., and his death was attributed to natural causes.
He was found between a row of futons in the front of the 10,000-square-foot first-floor showroom, which is known for being packed with furniture. Kelley said it was "extremely difficult to see the deceased in the showroom because of the positioning of the body in that area," and that it was necessary to move furniture to gain access to the body.
Attempts were unsuccessful to reach someone from the Shimock family for comment Wednesday afternoon. The store, which is in its 94th year of operation, closes at noon on Wednesdays.
Kelley said there were no signs of foul play involving the body or the scene.
Pielacha lived in a home on Chestnut Street (Route 61) in Kulpmont, although Kelley did not provide a specific address. The furniture store is at 900 Chestnut Street.
It is believed Pielacha entered the store Saturday without employees' knowledge. While he had previously worked at Shimock's, he did not have keys to the building, Kelley said.
Also at the scene Wednesday were Pielacha's son, Leon III; Kulpmont Chief of Police Rick Wilson; Kulpmont Ambulance personnel and Shimock's employees.
To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.
Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.
Copyright ©2012 The News Item | 707 N. Rock St. | Shamokin, PA 17872 | (570) 644-6397
Privacy Policy | Opinion Posting Policy | About our ads | Questions or comments? Contact Us
