An Allentown man accused of shooting a detective is also charged in the death of a woman whose body was found in a recycling bin.
Walter Bratvold, 62, was charged in the death of 59-year-old Rose Sieniawski.
A maintenance worker found Sieniawski’s decomposed body in a recycling bin back on Feb. 14 outside an apartment complex on the 800 block of E. Tilghman Street in Allentown. An autopsy determined Sieniawski died from multiple gunshot wounds and her death was ruled a homicide.
Investigators determined Sieniawski lived with Bratvold and was in a relationship with him prior to her death. Sieniawski’s employer told police she was last seen alive on Feb. 9 walking away from her job with Bratvold.
On Feb. 16, the Allentown Police Emergency Response Team attempted to serve a warrant at Bratvold’s apartment on the 600 block of N. Godfrey Street, two blocks away from where Sieniawski’s body was found. When they arrived, Bratvold allegedly took out a gun and opened fire, striking Allentown Police detective Chris Diehl. Diehl survived the shooting however.
Bratvold, who was also shot by an officer during the incident, was taken to the hospital.
Police recovered a .22 caliber revolver and shell casings from Bratvold’s apartment, investigators said. The gun was tested and matched a bullet recovered from Sieniawski’s body, according to investigators. Police analyzed the shell casings and determined shots were fired from the revolver inside the apartment.They also say the apartment smelled of decomposition.
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Bratvold was charged with homicide and abuse of a corpse in connection to Sieniawski’s death. He had already been charged in February with attempted homicide and aggravated assault in connection to the shooting of the Allentown detective.
Bratvold, who had been recovering from his gunshot wound at the hospital, was transferred to the Lehigh County Jail on Tuesday.
Court documents indicate that Bratvold will be represented by the Lehigh County public defender's office, which couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.
