William Carey Jr., 46, of Perkiomen Township. (Credit: Montgomery County DA)
William Roy Carey Jr. is accused of killing Jessica Zipkin, 34, formerly of Elkins Park, inside a Gravel Pike apartment in November.
Charges of first- and third-degree murder and misdemeanor possessing an instrument of crime were held for Montgomery County Common Pleas Court against William Roy Carey Jr., 46, who is accused of beating his girlfriend to death with a hammer last month.
The Perkiomen Township man allegedly killed Jessica Zipkin, 34, formerly of Elkins Park, in their Gravel Pike apartment Nov. 1, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.
On Nov. 2, at 1:25 a.m., Pennsylvania State Police were dispatched to Carey’s apartment at 534 Gravel Pike for a report of a possible death, per the criminal complaint. Upon arrival, police found Zipkin face down on the bedroom floor, with a fatal wound to the back of her head, according to the DA.
A red hammer was covered in blood next to her, authorities said.
An autopsy conducted by Dr. Ian Hood of the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office determined Zipkin died of blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death was homicide, Steele said.
There is no bail for murder charges and Carey was remanded to Montgomery County jail.
The case was investigated by Pennsylvania State Police and Montgomery County detectives.
Zipkin leaves behind her parents, Jeanette Weiss and Harrison Zipkin, sister Samantha Mertz and brother Joshua Zipkin, per her online memorial.
A formal arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
