“It was self defense”: Police say son strangled mother, left body in garbage bag in backyard

WEST MIFFLIN. Pa. — Allegheny County Police arrested the man they say is responsible in the death of a 52-year-old woman reported missing then found dead in West Mifflin.

The County Police Homicide Unit and West Mifflin police say 21-year-old Jonathan Nulty is responsible for killing his mother, Helene Nulty, and wrapping her in plastic garbage bags in the home’s backyard.

Police were at a home on Eastman Street around 12:45 p.m. Friday conducting a missing person search when they found the 52-year-old woman dead. Her father reported her missing on Dec. 9 after having no contact with her for five days.

When police got to the home they spoke with Nulty. An officer then discovered her body.

Investigators are working with the County Medical Examiner’s Office for an official medical determination of the cause and manner of death.

Nulty will be charged with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Nulty will be lodged in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting arraignment.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477); callers can remain anonymous. The department can also be reached via its social media sites.

Families still out of their homes after scaffolding collapsed at Etna building