Three men charged for Lancaster County murder after victim’s body likely dumped off bridge, State Police say

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– Three men have been charged in connection to the death and disappearance of a 25-year-old male in Lancaster County earlier this year.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Troopers launched an investigation after receiving a report in July that Matthew Whisman , 25, of East Drumore Township, had been missing since April.

PSP says the investigation revealed that Matthew Whisman was assaulted and kidnapped from a residence in the 1100 block of Lancaster Pike on April 3. Due to Whisman’s cooperation with authorities on a previous hooting investigation in Maryland, troopers determined he was murdered and his body was thrown over a bridge.

Police recovered parts of the victim’s remains from Conowingo Creek in Cecil County, Maryland, on August 8.

State Police say Steven Gaddis of Nottingham, PA, Jeremy Absher of South Carolina, and Alexander Whisman of Lancaster County were identified as suspects.

According to court records the three men were each charged with Conspiracy – Murder in the First, Second, and Third degrees. They’re also facing charges including conspiracy – aggravated assault, conspiracy – kidnap to facilitate a felony, and abuse of a corpse.

Jeremy Absher is being held in the Lancaster County Prison without bail. Court records show Alexander Whisman, 17, has been held in the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center since Oct. 3 on separate aggravated assault and firearm charges following a house party shooting.

Gaddis, according to court records, is not currently imprisoned and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Trooper Amos Glick at 717-299-7650.

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