HARRISBURG — A Cambria County man was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2016 murder of his former girlfriend, just days after being released from jail for allegedly assaulting her, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office announced Thursday.
Christopher Rowe, 50, was convicted of first-degree murder in November 2024 for strangling Kaylene Roedel, the mother of his child, whose body was discovered on a hiking trail in Johnstown on Aug. 7, 2016.
“This defendant ended one life and devastated many others with the premeditated and cold-hearted killing of the mother of his child,” Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement. “We hope this first-degree murder conviction and life sentence — which ensures he will never harm another person in free society — provide a sense of justice for Kaylene’s family and friends.”
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Rowe had threatened Roedel at her workplace just days before she went missing. Surveillance footage showed Roedel’s vehicle near the trail where her body was later discovered, and Rowe was found to have possession of the vehicle.
A witness testified that Rowe admitted to the killing, warning that they would also be killed if they revealed what they knew.
Rowe’s conviction ensures he will spend the rest of his life in prison for the crime, unless pardoned or released under other unforeseen political policy agendas.