Man indicted in death of Pa. woman with special needs in Nevada desert
A man accused of kidnapping a special needs woman in Pennsylvania last year and then driving her to Nevada before allegedly killing her was indicted in the case Tuesday.
Federal prosecutors said 40-year-old John Matthew Chapman is accused of one count of kidnapping which resulted in the death of the victim — 33-year-old Jaime Rae Feden.
Chapman, a Pennsylvania resident, remains in federal custody in Las Vegas and awaits a May 29 court appearance.
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Prosecutors said Chapman faces up to life in prison if he’s convicted in the case.
They said Chapman allegedly drove Feden from her home in Bethel Park to Nevada in September 2019 after telling her they were going on a vacation.
Left to right: Jamie Rae Feden and John Matthew Chapman
He was arrested the following month and told police he drove the victim out to the desert in Lincoln County, Nevada.
Under the pretext of a photo shoot, Chapman allegedly bound Feden’s hands and feet with plastic zip ties and tied her to a signpost.
Chapman then applied duct tape to her mouth and nose and allegedly watched her die from asphyxiation.
Federal prosecutors in Las Vegas said Chapman used the victim’s Facebook account to correspond with a family member after her death.
Authorities said Feden’s body was found in October 2019 and identified through dental records.
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