Pennsylvania – A Pennsylvania woman, 37-year-old Marissa, pIeaded guiIty but mentaIIy iII to charges including third-degree murder and abuse of a corpse in connection with the death of 66-year-old M. Masner. The plea was entered on Friday at the local court in Pennsylvania. According to the court documents, the defendant had been living in the victim’s home for several months, assisting him as he awaited hip replacement surgery. The victim’s family reported him missing in April 2023, leading to an investigation that uncovered disturbing evidence at his home.
Upon visiting the victim’s residence, investigators discovered a missing section of carpet, bIood stains, and bIeach-soaked cIothing. In the backyard fire pit, they found charred human remains, eyeglass frames, and carpet fragments. The woman was later apprehended in New York after stealing the victim’s vehicle. During her arrest, she initially claimed ignorance of the victim’s fate. However, forensic analysis of her devices revealed internet searches related to methods of killing and dismembering a body.
Pennsylvania authorities also revealed that the woman had used the victim’s credit card to purchase an utiIity tooI, which she later used to dismember his body. At a preliminary hearing, the defendant reportedly stated, “I’m guilty” and “then I cut him up,” indicating her involvement in the crime. A psychiatric evaluation diagnosed her with schizophrenia, and she claimed to hear voices from cats. Initially deemed mentally unfit for trial in January 2024, this decision was overturned in September 2024, allowing the case to proceed.
The defendant was ultimately charged with third-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, criminal mischief, possession of an instrument of crime, theft, tampering with evidence, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Her guilty plea was accepted by the court, and she is scheduled for sentencing in November 2025.
Authorities said they connected the suspect to the killing through her online searches, which included terms such as: how to shoot someone, how long it takes to burn a dead body, burn a body, if you shoot someone in the head they die instantly, and cutting a dead body with a chainsaw. The victim’s nephew said the victim had allowed the woman to stay with him to help around the house. The defendant reportedly wrote a Ietter to her attorney while in custody, claiming that she did not know why she acted the way she did with the body and said she felt traumatized and still does.