Aug 29, 2007 9:08 pm US/Eastern
Penn Hills Stabbing Motive Remains A Mystery
by Andy Sheehan
(KDKA)
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Tyron & Tyrel Hill (File)
KDKA
Now that police have arrested a Penn Hills teen in connection with the stabbing of his twin younger brothers, many are left wondering how to explain the brutal crime.
By all accounts Troy Hill is a well-mannered young man, a student athlete who made good grades and performed well on the football field.
But recently there had also been some signs that Hill had fallen into a depression and that his life had gone awry.
In arresting Hill, police say they have not delved into the question of motive.
"I have no knowledge of his mental issues," says Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffatt.
And Moffatt says those questions can wait.
"The family is very distraught at this time, and it's better for us not only to let them grieve but consol their other son who is still alive at this time rather than bombard them," adds Moffatt.
But the boy's grandfather told reporters Tuesday night that Hill had "a problem," and the man who coached the younger boys in youth football says he knows that Hill battled depression.
"The family's very private as well, but we were aware that he was having some depression issues and you just never know what's going to happen," says Terry Wirginis, of the Guyasuta Football Association
Still, Hill apparently showed no signs of trouble as a student and football player at Penn Hills High School, where he graduated in June of 2006. Superintendent Dr. Patricia Gennari researched his history today.
"There were no warning signs I've been made aware of during this very tragic day," says Gennari. "I've heard he was a good football player, a good student and in fact, I looked at the record and that's what it reflects."
Hill's football coach at Waynesburg University told KDKA much the same thing.
As a freshman, last year, Hill had a good year both academically and athletically as a starting defensive back of the varsity.
But early this month, after attending just two days of football training camp, Hill told the coach his "heart wasn't in it anymore," and that he was quitting both football and college.
The coach tried to convince him to stay but was unsuccessful, and the college says they then made phone calls to Hill's home, but that the calls were not returned.
Hill and his younger brothers share a common father, but have different biological mothers. His mother lives in Virginia, and is said to be on her way to Pittsburgh.
Neighbors on Richey Drive say they'd seen him often in the past month, running up and down the street with the two younger boys, and had no idea that tragedy was imminent.
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