UPDATED: Coroner Rules E. Finley Death Homicide; Suspect in Custody

Washington County Coroner Tim Warco on Sunday ruled the death of an East Finley woman found dead in her home by family members as a homicide—and police said at a press conference that a suspect is in custody.

Warco pronounced Opal M. Bedillion, 80, dead at 3:37 a.m. Sunday. A news release from his office indicates she died from a knife wound.

The Observer-Reporter newspaper reported that Frank Russell Jones Jr., 23, of 122 Willow Road, Claysville has been charged with homicide.

Online court records show that Jones was arraigned by district Judge Curtis Thompson on homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, theft, receiving stolen property and possession of a weapon charges.

He is scheduled to appear in Central Court in Washington Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.

Jones is not eligible for bail.

Warco was assisted at the scene by West Finley Township’s volunteer fire department, as well as members of the Washington County District Attorney’s Office.

The incident is under investigation by state police in Washington.

Ongoing coverage from the Observer-Reporter can be found here.

Coverage from the Post-Gazette is here.

Coverage from WPXI-TV is here.