Todd J. Swantek, 49, was found dead in his Frackville, Pennsylvania, home on May 24, 2017, after concerned parties reported not seeing or hearing from him since the end of March. Frackville police performing a welfare check encountered a strong odor and located his decomposing body on a first-floor couch; blankets, a sleeping bag, and pillows were covering him. Investigators reported numerous scented candles, air fresheners, a fly strip and blankets tucked at exterior door bases in an apparent effort to mask decomposition odor and conceal the scene.

Phone records showed the victim’s last contact was in early April, indicating he had been deceased for weeks before discovery. The investigation focused on his son, 24-year-old Tyler Swantek, amid reports of escalating arguments and alleged threats. A .177 caliber pellet rifle with apparent blood spatter was recovered in the son’s bedroom; pellets matched wounds to the victim’s skull. Tyler Swantek was charged in connection with the death and later pleaded guilty to third-degree murder.

Anyone who knew Todd or has information about his last weeks is asked to come forward.