William Carey Jr., 46, of Perkiomen Township. (Credit: Montgomery County DA)
The incident occurred on the 500 block of Gravel Pike.
A Perkiomen Township man is accused of killing his girlfriend with a hammer in their Gravel Pike apartment late Friday, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.
William Roy Carey Jr., 46, was arraigned Saturday night before Magisterial District Judge Henry J. Schireson on charges of first- and third-degree murder, along with a misdemeanor count of possessing an instrument of crime, according to court documents, in connection with the murder of Jessica Zipkin, 34, formerly of Elkins Park.
By James Short On Nov. 2, at 1:25 a.m., Pennsylvania State Police were dispatched to Carey’s apartment at 534 Gravel Pike for a report of a possible death, per the criminal complaint. Upon arrival, police found Zipkin face down on the bedroom floor, with a fatal wound to the back of her head, according to the DA.
A red hammer was covered in blood next to her, authorities said.
An autopsy conducted by Dr. Ian Hood of the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office determined Zipkin died of blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death was homicide, Steele said.
Court records show a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Adam T. Katzman.
There is no bail for murder charges and Carey was remanded to Montgomery County jail.
The case was investigated by Pennsylvania State Police and Montgomery County detectives.
Zipkin leaves behind her parents, Jeanette Weiss and Harrison Zipkin, sister Samantha Mertz and brother Joshua Zipkin, per her online memorial.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
