Rianna Glass Obituary, Death – Authorities claimed Tuesday that a Lehigh County teen killed his ex-girlfriend and her mother with a knife, then stole the mother’s car and wrecked it at high speed, seriously injuring a 14-year-old girl. John Derwin Bradley, 17, of North Whitehall Township was arrested at home Tuesday and accused with murdering Rianna Lynn Glass, 16, and her mother, Rosalyn “Rose” Siobal Glass, 39. He was jailed without bail for theft in Northampton County. Court records did not mention his attorney.
Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck described Thursday’s double homicide on the 1100 block of Railroad Street in North Catasauqua at a news conference, citing DNA and neighborhood camera videos. Houck said Bradley was Rianna Glass’ ex-boyfriend. Bradley allegedly strayed on Rianna, ending their relationship in August. The murders occurred hours after Rianna told Bradley she was dating someone else. Court filings allege Rianna told a friend through video conference at 8:45 p.m. Sept. 13 that Bradley was coming over. Four hours later, early Thursday, the same buddy missed Rianna’s call but received a text message saying, “He won’t leave the house.”
Soon after 9 p.m. Wednesday, nearby video footage showed Bradley going toward the property. A separate camera captured him walking behind the house. A 14-year-old Orefield girl was filmed outside the home at 2:30 a.m. Thursday. Bradley and the child go toward Arch Street, where Rosalyn Glass stored her car, one hour later, charging records show. Police stated Bradley’s phone connected to Rosyln Glass’s automobile and showed he was near the Glass residence. A Nissan Murano crashed in the 2000 block of Spring Valley Road in Upper Saucon Township, 15 miles from North Catasauqua, about 6 a.m. Court filings say Bradley and the girl were thrown from the automobile.
Police discovered Bradley with a knife near a tree. Houck said officials detected his and Rianna and Rosalyn Glass’ DNA on the knife. Bradley and the girl were hospitalized after the crash. Houck said the youngster had “extraordinary” injuries and was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. Bradley’s relationship with the girl was unknown to him. Houck said the crash occurred when the truck was moving quickly. Bradley denied purposely crashing the automobile, saying investigators are still investigating. The DA also claimed it was unclear if the girl was home during the killings. He also stated it’s unclear how they arrived to the residence that night.
Body found in North Catasauqua home. Court documents state borough police went to the Glass home at 7:30 a.m. Thursday after receiving a call to contact the residents. An officer couldn’t reach anyone. Police received a report four hours later that someone was unresponsive at home. On top of the stairs was Rosalyn Glass. Police found her face and chest lacerated and substantial amounts of blood. Court filings say Rianna was found facedown on an upstairs bedroom floor with blood under her. They were pronounced dead by Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek shortly after 1 p.m. as sharp-force trauma homicides. Rianna had neck “compression” or strangulation marks.
