Man accused of stabbing 19-year-old ex-girlfriend to death in front of police in Bucks County

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Authorities in Bucks County say an officer witnessed a young man stab his ex-girlfriend to death, then stab himself in the neck as he ran from police during a domestic incident last Friday.

Trevor Weigel, 23, is accused of tackling and stabbing 19-year-old Jaden Battista more than a dozen times outside her home on Waterford Road in Lower Makefield Township.

Police were called to the property around 2:30 p.m. Friday for a reported burglary that they later learned was domestic-related. Investigators later revealed that Weigel and Battista broke up two months ago following a two-month relationship.

Authorities believe Battista was on FaceTime with a friend when she noticed Weigel show up at her house unannounced and begin banging on the door.

Investigators say Weigel was able to get into the house through a first-floor window, and the friend on FaceTime recalled hearing a commotion followed by Battista's voice becoming muffled "as if someone was holding their hand over her mouth to prevent her from speaking."

Investigators say the call died, and the friend attempted to call back several times before finally calling 911.

Jaden Battista, 19, was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend Trevor Weigel, authorities say.

An officer from the Lower Makefield Police Department arrived at the home and witnessed a Weigel standing next to a red Ford Mustang with the passenger's side door open. Police say Weigel then chased after Battista and tackled her to the ground, stabbing her repeatedly in the upper body.

Weigel is accused of stabbing himself multiple times in the neck as he ran from police and scaled a fence before officers Tased him and took him into custody. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment and is expected to survive, police said.

Weigel has been charged with criminal homicide, burglary, possession of an instrument of crime, disorderly conduct and harassment. He is being held without bail.

Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn lauded the life-saving measures tried by the first officer who responded to the scene. The officer, according to Schorn, served two tours of duty in Iraq and worked as a Philadelphia police officer in a high crime area before joining the Lower Makefield Police Department.

"This case serves as a reminder that one can never fully appreciate the lethality of a situation when enduring domestic violence," Schorn said.

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Domestic Violence Hotlines: 
A Woman’s Place: 800-220-8116 
NOVA Bucks County: 800-675-6900 
National Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)