Dead man's gun: Punxsy woman accused of looting deceased man's bank account and stealing firearm

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) – A 74-year-old Punxsutawney woman is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing a firearm and making unauthorized withdrawals of hundreds of dollars from a deceased man's bank account.

Diane Rebecca Forsythe74, of Punxsutawney, was charged with three counts of unauthorized use of access devices and one count each of first-degree theft and receiving stolen property.

According to the criminal record, the charges stem from an incident on July 15, 2024. Forsythe is accused of unauthorized possession of movable property and receiving stolen goods, as well as three counts of unauthorized use of a debit card.

The charges were filed following an investigation by the Punxsutawney County Police Department. On August 15, 2024, police responded to a report of a stolen firearm and unauthorized use of a debit card at a residence on Highland Avenue in Punxsutawney.

The investigation revealed that Forsythe, who had been helping the elderly homeowners clean and tidy the house, allegedly stole a firearm from the home and used his debit card to make unauthorized withdrawals of $850 from the man's bank account. According to the man's wife, the withdrawals occurred during his hospital stay on July 18-19, 2024, and after his death in the early morning hours of July 19.

Surveillance footage from S&T Bank and a security camera installed by the man's granddaughter allegedly shows Forsythe using his debit card at ATMs and a local convenience store to make the unauthorized withdrawals. The granddaughter also reported finding video showing Forsythe stealing items from the home.

When questioned by police, Forsythe initially claimed she had permission to use the man's debit card in the past, but acknowledged she did not have authorization for the specific withdrawals made during his hospital stay and after his death. Forsythe said she could not remember the withdrawals, but offered to pay the money back to the man's widow.

As for the stolen firearm, Forsythe denied taking it, but admitted to removing various other items from the house and claimed she gave them to another relative.

Magistrate District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock has scheduled a preliminary hearing for Forsythe for October 1, 2024 at 10:45 a.m.

The case is being prosecuted by the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office.