Watch CBS News

Search Warrants Sealed In Missing Hempfield Woman Case

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- The search continues today for a missing Westmoreland County school teacher.

Becky Stahl, 37, was supposed to spend Saturday evening with her sister, but that never happened and now the family is extremely concerned.

Pennsylvania State Police have served several search warrants in this case and at least one of them was for the couple's home in Hempfield.

KDKA's Trina Orlando reports all of those warrants are sealed, so at this point it's not clear what police found or what they were looking for.

The Derry Middle School math teacher had been recovering in her Hempfield home after undergoing surgery.

Stahl lives with her husband of three years, David; however, according to court records, the relationship was not always a happy one.

In April of 2007, before the couple wed, State police charged David with simple assault after he attacked his then-fiancée in a drunken rage.

He pleaded guilty and spent nine months in prison.

Becky Stahl described the violence in a PFA filed after the incident. She wrote:

"He pushed me around" and "pulled my hair continuously for about two hours."

"I have bruises on my legs and face."

"A pop can was also thrown at my face to cause the bruising."

"He would not let me go and I couldn't get to a phone or even leave the bedroom. He pulled me by my hair up and down the steps. He broke the toaster, a glass cutting board and the kitchen table with his fists. My watch band and gold earrings were also broken during the activities of violence."

Also in that PFA, Becky Stahl wrote that her husband became violent at least once a month and the periods of violence were usually brought on by alcohol.

In March of 2011, State police charged Stahl with summary harassment for shoving his wife and tearing her sweater.

He was found guilty in absentia in May, but the charges were dismissed on appeal in October with his wife's consent.

For now, the family is hoping someone will see Becky Stahl and come forward with information.

David Stahl's father told KDKA-TV off camera Thursday his son is remaining hopeful that his wife will be found safely.

RELATED STORIES

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.