Fugitive ‘machete maniac’ student Peter Manfredonia, 23, CAUGHT in Maryland after murder manhunt across North East
THE fugitive student wanted for an alleged double murder was caught in Maryland after a multi-state manhunt on Wednesday.
Peter Manfredonia, 23, allegedly killed Connecticut residents Ted DeMers, 62, on May 22 and his Newtown High School classmate Nicholas Eisele, 23, on May 24.
"Suspect, Peter Manfredonia has been found & is in custody," Connecticut State Police said, shortly after 9.30 pm.
"CSP Eastern District Major Crime are on scene in Hagerstown, MD. No injuries to any law enforcement personnel or Manfredonia."
Police said more information about the situation would be revealed on Thursday, May 28.
He in their stolen Volkswagen Jetta after killing his friend on Sunday.
DeMers' wife, Cynthia DeMers, said she told state police detectives .
Manfredonia was looking for a female friend when he walked down the road in front of their home in Wilmington while wearing a motorcycle helmet, DeMers recalled.
She said the alleged murderer claimed his motorbike had broken down when asked why he was walking down the road.
Moments later, he allegedly hacked her husband to death with a machete after he gave the young man a ride back to his bike.
"He said to my husband, I know so-and-so, who is one of our neighbors, which then opened up the door to trusting this person," DeMers told .
"I think he got in the way of what he was going to do."
The widow said she talked with their young neighbor's father over the weekend and was told the family had been considering a restraining order against Manfredonia, who had previously visited the home.