David Heck accused of the rape and murder of Sabrina Kyler
23 september 2026 в 10:37
Indiana resident David Heck has been charged with the rape and murder of 20-year-old Sabrina Kyler more than 24 years ago after he took her for a swim in Pennsylvania. The charges were filed on September 21, as reported by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office on September 22.
According to the investigation, Heck, now 50 years old, took Kyler for a swim at Igloo Park, after which he allegedly raped and killed her in a wooded area near Lake Erie on June 24, 2002. Before her death, Kyler was dating Heck’s cousin. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday noted that «the totality of the evidence, including key witness testimony from those who were previously unwilling to testify, led to the only conclusion — David Heck raped and murdered Sabrina Kyler 24 years ago».
Although Kyler was officially declared dead in 2009, her remains have yet to be found. The development of the case was made possible by the work of the Cold Case section of the Attorney General’s Office, which collaborated with investigators and a grand jury to secure charges against Heck.
Several witnesses, including Douglas Haim and Terry Kellerman, who were acquainted with Heck, testified before the grand jury that they were with him a few hours after the alleged murder of Kyler. On that day, the witnesses saw Kyler at the swimming spot in Igloo Park. Heck unexpectedly came to her home and offered to take her swimming. After swimming, they visited a local café, where Heck called the police due to a conflict with his ex-girlfriend.
After the café visit, Heck took Kyler to the Fairview quarries, where he allegedly raped and killed her. A fisherman in the area reported hearing a «blood-curdling scream» from a woman and saw a man resembling Heck emerging from the woods. Heck also reportedly confessed to his cellmate that he raped and killed the girl at the Fairview quarry. One of his acquaintances, Haim, stated before the grand jury that he helped Heck bury Kyler’s body in the Elk Creek area, which is known for its flooding. The police continue to search for Kyler’s remains in that location.
Heck was arrested at his home in Indiana on Monday. Information on whether he will have legal representation is not yet available. The Attorney General’s Office did not specify whether any additional charges would be filed against anyone else in connection with Kyler’s death.
According to the investigation, Heck, now 50 years old, took Kyler for a swim at Igloo Park, after which he allegedly raped and killed her in a wooded area near Lake Erie on June 24, 2002. Before her death, Kyler was dating Heck’s cousin. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday noted that «the totality of the evidence, including key witness testimony from those who were previously unwilling to testify, led to the only conclusion — David Heck raped and murdered Sabrina Kyler 24 years ago».
Although Kyler was officially declared dead in 2009, her remains have yet to be found. The development of the case was made possible by the work of the Cold Case section of the Attorney General’s Office, which collaborated with investigators and a grand jury to secure charges against Heck.
Several witnesses, including Douglas Haim and Terry Kellerman, who were acquainted with Heck, testified before the grand jury that they were with him a few hours after the alleged murder of Kyler. On that day, the witnesses saw Kyler at the swimming spot in Igloo Park. Heck unexpectedly came to her home and offered to take her swimming. After swimming, they visited a local café, where Heck called the police due to a conflict with his ex-girlfriend.
After the café visit, Heck took Kyler to the Fairview quarries, where he allegedly raped and killed her. A fisherman in the area reported hearing a «blood-curdling scream» from a woman and saw a man resembling Heck emerging from the woods. Heck also reportedly confessed to his cellmate that he raped and killed the girl at the Fairview quarry. One of his acquaintances, Haim, stated before the grand jury that he helped Heck bury Kyler’s body in the Elk Creek area, which is known for its flooding. The police continue to search for Kyler’s remains in that location.
Heck was arrested at his home in Indiana on Monday. Information on whether he will have legal representation is not yet available. The Attorney General’s Office did not specify whether any additional charges would be filed against anyone else in connection with Kyler’s death.
© Smirnova Olga
