The body of a 19-year-old New Castle man who was reported missing earlier this month has been found, authorities confirmed early Monday evening.New Castle police found the body of Amari Wise in an area between a creek and Pennsylvania Avenue, said Lawrence County District Attorney Josh Lamancusa. A news conference was held Tuesday following the discovery of the body. Watch a replay of the news conference in the video player above. A crowd made up of community members and the teen’s family and friends watched on as police investigated. Lulu Bennett, with community advocacy group WWC The Voice, has followed this case that has led to recent rallies outside the New Castle police station. “We’re just tired because every time we turn around it’s a black child missing,” she said. “It’s a black kid getting killed and no justice and that’s what we’re here for.”Earlier in the day, police said they filed charges of homicide and tampering with evidence against 20-year-old Connor Henry. He was in custody in Ocean City, Maryland, awaiting an extradition hearing.Henry’s father, 47-year-old Todd Henry, is charged with conspiracy to commit homicide, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence, police said. He was in custody at the New Castle Police Department Monday afternoon.Police said Wise was reported missing June 5.According to a criminal complaint, police interviewed a confidential informant who told them that Connor Henry shot Wise during an argument in the garage of the Henrys’ home on Adams Street, where the informant and several other people had been drinking and smoking marijuana.”Amari Wise arrived by himself. They were hanging out for approx. 10-15 minutes when Wise started arguing with another male,” police said in the complaint. “The argument became heated and Wise was standing over the other male, who was seated on a couch. (The informant) said that Wise had a fanny pack slung across his chest. Wise told the male he ‘was going to shoot him’ and put his hand on the fanny pack. At that time Connor Henry, who was standing behind Wise, shot Wise.”Another informant provided a description of the incident that “was relatively the same” but said that Wise’s gun was “partially removed from the fanny pack when Connor Henry shot him,” police said in the complaint.“Amari did not deserve what they did to him,” said Dorothy Wise Weathersbe, aunt of Wise. Henry will be extradited back to New Castle in the next couple of days. Henry’s father, 47-year-old Todd Henry, is in jail in New Castle. He faces three criminal charges including tampering with evidence. A witness told police that the day after Wise was killed, Henry’s father was power washing the garage floor.Weathersbe said she believes more people were involved in her nephew’s death. “They need to pick up everybody that’s involved,” she said. “When I say everybody, I mean everybody.”Chief Salem dispelled rumors that the suspects are his family members. The chief said he has no relationship with Connor and Todd Henry, but he said his great grandmother and someone in their family were close friends and possibly relatives.Chief Salem told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that during his lifetime he has had no contact with the two men. He said he immediately told the family this, and according to him, they were fine with it and are confident with his role in the investigation.This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates. Download the WTAE mobile app to stay connected with breaking news.
The body of a 19-year-old New Castle man who was reported missing earlier this month has been found, authorities confirmed early Monday evening.
New Castle police found the body of Amari Wise in an area between a creek and Pennsylvania Avenue, said Lawrence County District Attorney Josh Lamancusa.
A news conference was held Tuesday following the discovery of the body.
Watch a replay of the news conference in the video player above.
A crowd made up of community members and the teen’s family and friends watched on as police investigated. Lulu Bennett, with community advocacy group WWC The Voice, has followed this case that has led to recent rallies outside the New Castle police station.
“We’re just tired because every time we turn around it’s a black child missing,” she said. “It’s a black kid getting killed and no justice and that’s what we’re here for.”
Earlier in the day, police said they filed charges of homicide and tampering with evidence against 20-year-old Connor Henry. He was in custody in Ocean City, Maryland, awaiting an extradition hearing.
Henry’s father, 47-year-old Todd Henry, is charged with conspiracy to commit homicide, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence, police said. He was in custody at the New Castle Police Department Monday afternoon.
Police said Wise was reported missing June 5.
According to a criminal complaint, police interviewed a confidential informant who told them that Connor Henry shot Wise during an argument in the garage of the Henrys’ home on Adams Street, where the informant and several other people had been drinking and smoking marijuana.
“Amari Wise arrived by himself. They were hanging out for approx. 10-15 minutes when Wise started arguing with another male,” police said in the complaint. “The argument became heated and Wise was standing over the other male, who was seated on a couch. (The informant) said that Wise had a fanny pack slung across his chest. Wise told the male he ‘was going to shoot him’ and put his hand on the fanny pack. At that time Connor Henry, who was standing behind Wise, shot Wise.”
Another informant provided a description of the incident that “was relatively the same” but said that Wise’s gun was “partially removed from the fanny pack when Connor Henry shot him,” police said in the complaint.
“Amari did not deserve what they did to him,” said Dorothy Wise Weathersbe, aunt of Wise.
Henry will be extradited back to New Castle in the next couple of days.
Henry’s father, 47-year-old Todd Henry, is in jail in New Castle. He faces three criminal charges including tampering with evidence.
A witness told police that the day after Wise was killed, Henry’s father was power washing the garage floor.
Weathersbe said she believes more people were involved in her nephew’s death.
“They need to pick up everybody that’s involved,” she said. “When I say everybody, I mean everybody.”
Chief Salem dispelled rumors that the suspects are his family members. The chief said he has no relationship with Connor and Todd Henry, but he said his great grandmother and someone in their family were close friends and possibly relatives.
Chief Salem told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that during his lifetime he has had no contact with the two men. He said he immediately told the family this, and according to him, they were fine with it and are confident with his role in the investigation.
This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates. Download the WTAE mobile app to stay connected with breaking news.