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All seven adults charged with kidnapping in the death of Hayden Robert Garreffa now face criminal homicide charges, Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi Jr. announced Tuesday.
Garreffa, 19, of Ebensburg, was the victim of a kidnapping and subsequent homicide on Oct. 20.
Police investigating Garreffa's disappearance from his grandmother's home in Indiana County discovered his body Oct. 22 about two miles from his grandmother's residence, in an area of tall weeds and brush near Oneida Mine Road in Brush Valley Township, Indiana County, police said.
The investigation led police to charge seven adults and one 14-year-old female with kidnapping. Police at the time said additional charges were expected.
Those charged in the case include Johnstown residents Isaac Joel Buchkoski, 21; Mia Shai Catalfano, 18; Taylyn Nashell Edwards, 18; Thomas Alan Rivera, 20; Summer Isabella Settlemeyer, 18; and Jesse Lee Wadsworth, 18; and Desean Garcia Alvarez, 21, of Hammond, Indiana.
The criminal complaints filed against each of the adult defendants were amended Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Susanne Steffee to include criminal homicide charges.
In addition to a felony kidnapping charge, each adult now faces felony charges of criminal homicide, conspiracy to criminal homicide, conspiracy to kidnapping, aggravated assault and conspiracy to aggravated assault.
All seven have had bail denied, and all face preliminary hearings Thursday before Steffee. The juvenile is being held in a juvenile detention facility and is charged with kidnapping.
Manzi said the investigation continues "as to the particular conduct of each defendant."