The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

February 29, 2008

Police seeking help in probe

Won’t comment on reports, letter

By Monica Pryts

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP — State police are still seeking information that they hope will lead them to Howard Urquhart’s killer.

There was nothing new Friday on the investigation into Urquhart’s death caused by a gunshot to the neck, which was ruled a homicide Thursday by Mercer County Coroner J. Bradley McGonigle III, police said.

An obituary for Urquhart, 60, of 347 Hadley Road, Lot 63, Hempfield Township, says he died tragically Feb. 20 in Greene Township.

That is the day his body was found in a wooded area off Bandy Road and the final autopsy report to be released in several weeks may show when Urquhart died, authorities have said.

The obituary also shed more light on Urquhart’s life. He was born in Meadville, graduated from Cochranton Junior-Senior High School and was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family, which includes two children, a grandson, three brothers, his mother, four nephews and a niece, most of whom live in the Meadville area.

Urquhart’s brother James Urquhart of Guys Mills did not return a phone message Friday, but one of his cousins has been corresponding with The Herald by e-mail.

David Urquhart, who lives in the Meadville area, described his cousin as a hard-working man who enjoyed family gatherings and always gave good advice.

“I will sure miss him. He was a good man,” one of his e-mails said.

Mercer County District Attorney Robert G. Kochems wouldn’t comment Thursday on whether there are any suspects in Urquhart’s death but said no one has been arrested or charged in the homicide.

Urquhart was reported missing Jan. 17 by his daughter after she hadn’t seen or heard from him in several days. He was last seen Jan. 14 by co-workers at Cattron Group Inc., Sharpsville.

State police received information Feb. 19 and 20 that led them to the spot where Urquhart’s body was found. Authorities have refused to say who provided the information.

Reports about what could have happened to Urquhart have been circulating since he first went missing and The Herald has had no success confirming them with authorities.

One of Urquhart’s co-workers, Bill Peto of Hermitage, told The Herald Jan. 31 that a man came to Cattron Jan. 14 asking for Urquhart. That man and Urquhart left together and Urquhart wasn’t seen or heard from after that, Peto said.

Peto also said he believes that man is the same man Urquhart told Peto was recently released from jail. Urquhart said he wanted to help the man get back on his feet, he said.

Urquhart’s family referred to that man in a letter dated Jan. 31 that they gave to area township supervisors asking for the public’s help in finding their relative.

The letter said Urquhart was last seen at work talking to a man who is known to have information about Urquhart’s whereabouts.

That man refused to release any information and police arrested him in North Carolina with Urquhart’s truck, wallet and checkbook for using his identity, the letter said.

North Carolina police returned the man to Mercer County but he has refused to tell Urquhart’s family what happened to him, the letter said.

Police and Kochems have repeatedly refused to confirm or comment on Peto’s account and the family’s letter.

Anyone with information on the Urquhart investigation is asked to call state police at 724-662-6162.

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