Pennsylvania man charged with murdering man at Lowville lodge

Jan. 18—LOWVILLE — A Pennsylvania man has been charged with strangling another Pennsylvania man to death at a Route 12 lodge earlier this month.

Jacob M. Vanbergen, 24, of Coudersport, about 40 miles from Olean, New York, just over the state line, is charged by Lewis County deputies with second-degree murder for allegedly killing Brandon J. Shepker, 39, also of Coudersport, on Jan. 6 at the Ridge View Lodge in Lowville.

Sheriff's investigators said in a statement Thursday that Vanbergen called 911 from a lodge room he was sharing with Shepker just before midnight on Jan. 6. The nature of the call was not disclosed, but Lewis County Search and Rescue responded to the call along with deputies and state police.

Shepker was found dead at the scene and his body was taken to the Broome County Coroner's Office. Deputies said that through an investigation and information developed from the medical examiner it was determined that Shepker's injuries were consistent with a physical assault and strangulation.

Sheriff's and state police investigators then went to Coudersport where they were assisted by investigators with the Pennsylvania State Police. Further information was developed, according to investigators, and an arrest warrant for murder was issued for Vanbergen.

Vanbergen is being held in jail in Pennsylvania by the Potter County Sheriff's Office as a fugitive from justice and is awaiting extradition to New York.