Death Penalty in Missing Woman Case?

A man accused of abducting his ex-girlfriend is due in court Wednesday. 48-year old Kenneth Patterson is facing kidnapping and related charges.

But Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler also plans to charge Patterson with murder and seek the death penalty, even though the victim's body has not been found.

57-year old Diane Corado went missing on Dec. 19, after she was allegedly beaten and kidnapped by Patterson.

According to investigators, Patterson broke into Corado’s apartment at the Village of Pennbrook Apartments around 5:30 a.m.

Corado was with a female friend, according to police. Patterson allegedly hit Corado with a pipe, threatened her with a knife and then forced both women inside Corado’s Pontiac Aztek.

Patterson let Corado’s friend go, according to authorities. The friend contacted police and told them that Patterson had threatened to kill Corado and then himself.

Corado was first driven into Montgomery County.  Money was then taken from Corado’s bank account at an ATM at the Cheltenham Mall around 7 a.m., authorities said.

The Aztec was then seen crossing the Ben Franklin Bridge at 7:40 a.m. Corado’s empty vehicle was found in Camden later that night.

Patterson was in bloodstained clothes when he was arrested at the Clover Motel on Route 73 North in Camden.

Corado remains missing.


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