Indiana Co. Woman Dies After Robbery & Assault, 1 Suspect In Custody

INDIANA (KDKA) – One man is in custody after an Indiana County woman died of a heart attack following an assault Friday morning.

According to an affidavit, the incident happened at a home in the 600-block of Diamond Avenue around 3 a.m.

Officers were initially called to the house after a man reported an assault and burglary.

When officers arrived, they found the victim, Ruth Shirey, unconscious on a bathroom floor. The male caller was not located.

Shirey was transported to the Indiana Regional Medical Center, where she suffered a fatal heart attack.

A male resident in the home could not be located and was identified as Todd Royce Walters. Walters is the son of the victim. He is accused of beating Shirey to death and is facing homicide charges.

Walters' father lives nearby and told police his son suffers from psychological issues and had not been taking his medication.

Walters' father visited Shirey's home Thursday evening. At one point in the evening, Todd became angry and threatened to punch his father, "because he thought they were laughing at him."

Walters' father told police his son had guns in the Diamond Avenue home. During their investigation, police determined that some of those guns were missing.

Shirey's vehicle was also missing from the home.

Walters' father also said Todd had been, "having thoughts that someone has been breaking into the residence."

Walters was arrested in Altoona around noon. He was found driving his mother's missing car.

Police spent the morning gathering evidence and several weapons from the home.

Neighbors have been unable to come to terms with such a violent death for a woman who was so peaceful.

"It was devastating, you know, she was really a great lady, very active in the community, very kind and always friendly and social," said neighbor Dan Broadbent. "Yeah, it's really just a shame."

People at IUP say although Shirey was retired, she still contributed greatly to the university and her legacy will be one of education and caring for her students.

Her son is expected to be arraigned and held without bond.

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