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Christopher Rowe, 50, was also found guilty of aggravated assault and filing false reports to law enforcement after a jury trial. He now faces a mandatory life sentence when he is sentenced in early January 2025, according to the release.
Rowe had publicly threatened his former girlfriend, Kaylene Roedel, at her workplace just days before she went missing in 2016, officials said. Her body was discovered on Aug. 7, 2016, along a hiking trail in Johnstown.
“The defendant brutally murdered this woman — the mother of his child — after publicly threatening her at her place of employment,” Henry said. “Our Office sincerely thanks the investigators, prosecutors, and the jurors who heard this case, securing justice for the victim. Nothing will bring Kaylene back, but we hope this verdict offers a small measure of peace for her loved ones.”
Rowe had recently been released from the Cambria County Jail, where he had been serving time for a prior assault against Roedel, officials said. The pair shared a home and custody of their daughter at the time.
Testimony revealed that Rowe had expressed to fellow inmates his intent to kill Roedel upon release. Surveillance footage captured Roedel’s vehicle near the trail where her body was later found, with Rowe in possession of the vehicle. A witness told police that Rowe admitted to strangling Roedel and warned the witness not to speak out or they would face a similar fate.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry and Deputy Attorney General Aaron McKendry.
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