Man confesses to killing mom, hitting her in the head repeatedly with a hammer and glass, police say

NESHANNOCK TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police said they arrested a man early Wednesday in connection with a homicide in Lawrence County.

Police put Shane McDevitt, 36, in handcuffs after an early morning chase on Route 28 that ended near the Pittsburgh Mills Mall, where he allegedly flipped his car. Authorities believe the driver was going 100 miler per hour before crashing.

On Tuesday, state police launched a murder investigation after 65-year-old Cecelia K. Liposky, McDevitt’s mother, was found dead in a home on Mercer Road in Neshannock Township. Court documents say that they also found a round piece of decorative glass and a claw hammer near the body. The coroner said she died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Police say that when they interviewed McDevitt, he confessed to killing his mother by striking her repeatedly in the head with the round piece of glass and the hammer.

Court documents say that police were called to the scene after a 9-1-1 call from McDevitt’s sister, asking for a welfare check on her mother.

Officers spotted the car missing from the crime scene in Millvale at around 2:00 a.m. this morning. They tried to stop it but the vehicle kept going and a pursuit began. Multiple different police departments were involved in the chase.

“My officers as well as an Enta Borough Officer discovered him in our town at Howard @ Stanton Ave. at 02:01AM. As I stated they gave pursuit shortly after that,” said Millvale Police Chief Tom Komoroski. “We have a very strict pursuit policy and would not normally pursue but a Homicide Warrant is an exception as well as the time of the morning and very little vehicle or pedestrian traffic. If you need anything further feel free to call.”

The vehicle McDevitt was driving matches the description of Liposky’s car, which police have been looking for.

Channel 11 was there when police walked McDevitt out of the Butler barracks, where he was being questioned. “I’m so sorry to everyone. My mom was great. I loved her,” he said while being taken into a police car to be transported to Lawerence County. (Watch the full video above)

State police said they plan to pursue homicide charges against him.

Coming up on Channel 11 News at 5 p.m., more about the victim from people who knew her best.

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