CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. — A tragic death investigation unfolded Monday evening in Carrolltown Borough, leading authorities to charge a 14-year-old boy with multiple counts including criminal homicide following the deaths of two women found inside a residence.
The victims, identified as 32-year-old Olivia Courtney and 38-year-old Ashley Cook, were discovered by state police responding to a welfare check. The check was initiated after a neighbor reported concerning behavior from the teenager, Judah Courtney, who allegedly claimed that someone had killed his father and aunt.
Upon arrival, troopers noticed that the boy had blood on his clothes and injuries to his hands, raising immediate suspicions. The investigation revealed that both women sustained fatal stab wounds, with signs of a violent struggle occurring inside the home. According to officials, the injuries sustained were severe enough to result in significant blood loss.
A troubling account emerged when police spoke with the neighbor who first interacted with Courtney. The teenager allegedly expressed anxious thoughts about authorities suspecting him, saying, “they’re going to think I did it.” Following a brief period of inconsistent statements, he reportedly admitted to the murders, declaring, “I did it.”
In a disturbing twist, the teen is said to have sent a Snapchat message to a friend, claiming, “I killed my parents.” The friend also received a video of Judah Courtney, moments after the incident, showing the crime scene and indicating he found the two women deceased.
During questioning, Courtney reportedly detailed the weapons he used, listing several knives that were later found at the scene, including a serrated knife, a paring knife, and a butcher knife. Authorities noted these items were discovered in a garbage can, along with evidence suggestive of a struggle.
While officials have not disclosed a possible motive for the stabbings, District Attorney Greg Neugebauer confirmed that the teenager would be charged as an adult and held at Cambria County Prison under strict precautions. The relationship between the accused and the victims was clarified, with Olivia Courtney identified as his biological mother and Ashley Cook as a family friend. The family had recently relocated to Pennsylvania from Texas approximately two years ago.
Police are thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding the case, including reaching out to Courtney’s school district for further information, and contacting authorities in Texas for additional background on the family. Court records indicate that the teenager was arraigned Tuesday morning, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 16.
The community is grappling with shock and disbelief as authorities piece together the events that led to this tragic incident, leaving unanswered questions about the motives behind such a heinous act.