Montco Woman Gets Life In Prison For Killing Parents

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA —After several trial delays, the Rydal woman charged with killing and dismembering her parents last year has pleaded guilty.

Verity Beck pled “guilty but mentally ill” to both first-degree murder counts in Montgomery County court on Monday and was sentenced to life in prison. She will receive mental health treatment in prison, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

Beck's trial had been delayed twice. An insanity defense had been planned by her attorneys.

Beck, 44, of Abington Townships's Rydal neighborhood, was charged with two counts each of first- and third-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and possession of an instrument of crime in connection with the deaths of her parents, Reid Beck, 73, and Miriam Beck, 72.

Authorities allege Beck shot and killed her parents in their Jenkintown home on or after Jan. 7, 2023, and dismembered their bodies with a chainsaw.

The bodies were found in her parents' home in the 1100 block of Beverly Road during a wellness check after their son had not heard from them.

Verity Beck lived at the home with her parents, authorities said. No motive was ever given for the killings.

An insanity plea defense was expected to be brought forward during the trial, authorities said.

Beck was scheduled to stand trial in early February, but court records show the trial has been delayed to April 1.