On Sunday, August 4, 2024, in the quiet town of Arnold, Pennsylvania, 38-year-old Brian Rebold allegedly stabbed his 73-year-old mother, Diana Rebold, to death in broad daylight. The incident occurred in the middle of Liberty Avenue, where several neighbors witnessed the violent attack.
The Arnold Police Department responded to a 911 call made by the suspect himself at approximately 5:38 p.m. Officers arrived at the home where they lived together to find Diana Rebold lying unresponsive in the street, bleeding profusely from stab wounds to her head, neck, and back. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office.
Brian Rebold was found near his mother’s body, covered in blood, and was taken into custody without resistance. He has been charged with criminal homicide and first-degree murder. The murder weapon, a knife, was later recovered from a neighboring yard where Rebold allegedly discarded it.
Although the suspect has been arrested, the motive for the attack remains uncertain, prompting both law enforcement and the community to seek answers. Arnold Police Chief Josh Stanga expressed that understanding the reasoning behind this act is a priority for investigators and the family.
The typically peaceful and tight-knit neighborhood was stunned by the incident. Liberty Avenue resident Charisse Campise recalled the terrifying moment she realized something was amiss. She noticed the lights and then saw the woman’s body on the ground, covered, which caused her to scream hysterically at her husband. Campise mentioned that she had previously seen the man yelling outside, and it appears that an argument with his mother led to this tragic outcome.
Another neighbor, Steve Mobley, shared his disbelief about the incident, stating that he had never noticed any significant issues between the mother and son. Mobley mentioned that he never heard any arguments between them and had previously spoken to the man, sensing something unusual about him. However, Mobley had assumed the man required some form of professional care.
As the investigation continues, the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death. Brian Rebold remains in custody at the Westmoreland County Jail without bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 15.