On Monday afternoon in Churchville, Pennsylvania, a quiet neighborhood on Heather Road became the center of a heartbreaking scene that has shaken the Bucks County community. Police say three members of the Castiglia family were found dead inside their home following a welfare check that turned into a tragic investigation.
Just after 2:15 p.m., officers from the Northampton Township Police Department were called to the residence by the boyfriend of one of the victims, who hadn’t heard from her in several days and grew concerned. When authorities arrived, they were met at the door by 55-year-old Kevin Castiglia, who appeared to be holding two large knives and declined to speak clearly about his family.
What followed was an hours-long standoff. A tactical response team was called in to safely manage the situation. After about five hours, police were able to enter the home and take Castiglia into custody without further injury. Inside, they found the bodies of his parents, 84-year-old Judith and 90-year-old Fred Castiglia, and his 53-year-old sister, Deborah Castiglia.
Deborah Castiglia was known in the community as a longtime math teacher in the Centennial School District, where students remembered her care, kindness and dedication over more than two decades in classrooms from middle school to high school. District leaders said crisis teams have been deployed to support students and staff grieving this loss.
Police have since charged Kevin Castiglia with multiple counts of criminal homicide and abuse of a corpse, along with related offenses tied to the standoff. He is being held without bail at the Bucks County Correctional Facility as the investigation continues and prosecutors prepare their case.
Investigators have stressed there is no ongoing threat to the wider community and believe this was an isolated domestic tragedy. Neighbors described the scene as surreal and deeply upsetting, urging everyone to respect the privacy of those mourning.
The full circumstances surrounding what led to this devastating loss remain under active review by law enforcement. Authorities have asked the public to avoid speculation as they gather evidence and prepare for further legal proceedings in the coming weeks.
Support services continue to be offered for anyone affected, and local leaders have encouraged residents to look out for one another as the community absorbs the impact of this sorrowful event.
