Brain Of Alleged Murderer Studied

Testing was conducted to learn whether Mark Geisenheyner, 51 -- suspected killer of two adults and a child -- had a brain tumor, The Associated Press reports.

The pituitary gland of Geisenheyner -- an ex-convict -- was removed during an autopsy and sent for tests, said Trish Cofiell, a spokeswoman for the Delaware County medical examiner.

According to the AP, Coroner Fredric Hellman was told by an investigator and a member of Geisenheyner's family that he had a tumor, Cofiell said. Hellman did not confirm that and said test results may not be available for weeks. The coroner also sent for Geisenheyner's medical records, Cofiell said.

A SWAT team on July 4 shot and killed Geisenheyner -- a suspect in the shootings of five people that left a child, man and woman dead in Montgomery County -- after a six-hour standoff with police in Trainer, Delaware County earlier this month.

Police say Geisenheyner entered a house at 50 Renninger Road in Gilbertsville, Douglass Township around 11:30 p.m. on July 2 and shot the four adults and child.

Authorities say Geisenheyner sought revenge in an insurance scam with Paul Shay, owner of the Renninger Road house.

After the shootings, Geisenheyner went to the home of a friend in Trainer, just outside Philadelphia, confessed to the slayings and later fell asleep, at which time the friend sneaked out and called authorities, according to AP reports.

Meanwhile, a massive manhunt for Geisenheyner included a police helicopter that circled the area while lights from emergency vehicles colored the handful of houses and a church in the quiet rural community.

Roughly 40 police officers from about 10 area departments including Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove and Boyertown gathered that night on Hoffmansville Road near the scene of the shooting.

Emergency medical crews from companies including Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue and Upper Perkiomen Valley Ambulance were also on hand.

On July 3, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Douglass Township Police Chief Barry L. Templin Jr. identified the victims in the shooting as Paul Shay and his wife Monica, the nephew Joseph Shay, Kathryn Erdmann and her son, Gregory.

Joseph Shay, 43, of Yarmouth, MA, and New York, NY, and Gregory, 2, were shot in the head and killed. Monica Shay, 58, died the following Thursday, said Paul Hoffman, Deputy Coroner for Lehigh Valley County. 

Erdmann, 37, of Fall River, MA, and Paul Shay, 64, of New York, NY, are expected to survive gunshot wounds to the head.

On July 4, Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele confirmed that the Delaware County medical examiner declared Geisenheyner dead.

A background search on Geisenheyner shows he lived on Hanover Street in Pottstown at some point, as well as several other Pa. spots including Downington, Wallingford and Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania Lottery’s website also lists a Mark Geisenheyner of Pottstown as a $1,000 winner of its Millionaire Monopoly game.

The shootings could be the result of a plan concocted nearly three months ago by Geisenheyner, who sought revenge against Paul Shay, said Ferman.

"We are investigating reports that (Geisenheyner) was involved in an insurance fraud scheme with one of the victims, and that was the motive for the murder," Ferman said.

Statements made by “multiple people” to the district attorney’s office uncover Geisenheyner’s plan to kill Paul Shay.

"The killer told people from the time he got out of prison 15 months ago that he had been involved in a scheme with Paul Shay and was seeking revenge against him," said Ferman.

"Three months ago he started to plot a particular event, where he would break into the home and potentially hurt Mr. Shay and steal from them,” she said. 

Ferman pointed out that while Geisenheyner reportedly told others about the alleged insurance fraud scheme, there is currently no evidence to support the story.

"I don't know if it's true or not, which is why we're investigating. We do not have evidence that any of this is true, beyond that it's what he told to many different people," said Ferman. "We're not making any statements that these things, in fact, ever happened."