Summit Township, PA – A disturbing case out of Summit Township, Pennsylvania has drawn intense attention after a 37-year-old woman admitted to fatally shooting a 66-year-old homeowner, then gruesomely dismembering and incinerating his remains in a backyard fire pit. The woman, Marisa Jean Rodriguez, had reportedly been living unnoticed in the victim’s attic for several months before the brutal killing.
Rodriguez pleaded “guilty — mentally ill” last week to multiple felonies related to the 2023 murder of Michael Maisner, including third-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. The shocking crime has exposed harrowing details about the woman’s actions and mental state, as well as the tragic victim’s trusting nature.
A Chilling Crime Comes to Light
On April 12, 2023, alarmed family members visited Maisner’s home on Crestview Drive after hearing from him for nearly two weeks. While Rodriguez was found hiding in the attic—where she had covertly lived for months—there was no sign of Maisner. The subsequent welfare check revealed horrifying evidence of foul play:
- Missing carpet sections and padding with possible human tissue and blood splatter inside the home
- Bleach-stained clothing and cleaning supplies, along with bizarre writings scrawled on the walls
- Remains including charred bone fragments, carpet foam, and even a piece of an eyeglass frame found in the backyard fire pit
- DNA analysis confirming the burned remains as those of Michael Maisner
According to reports from Erie News Now and ABC/Fox affiliate WJET/WFXP, the investigation revealed chilling online searches made by Rodriguez before and after the crime. These included phrases such as “how to shoot someone,” “how long does it take to burn a dead body,” and “cutting a dead body with a chain saw.”
The Woman Behind the Crime and Her Troubling Behavior
Marisa Jean Rodriguez’s story is marked by disturbing behavior and signs of mental illness. A psychiatrist diagnosed her with schizophrenia, and court records indicate she wrote rambling letters in custody, claiming to be “TRAMITIZED” over her actions. Evidence also showed she used the victim’s debit card to spend nearly $600, including purchasing the chainsaw used in the dismemberment.
Rodriguez initially faced a first-degree murder charge, but after a plea deal, she pleaded guilty to third-degree murder alongside other charges such as:
- Abuse of a corpse
- Criminal mischief
- Possession of an instrument of a crime
- Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
- Theft
- Tampering with evidence
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
She was initially declared mentally incompetent to stand trial in January 2024 but was later ruled competent in September. During an August preliminary hearing, Rodriguez interrupted testimony by saying, “Well, I’m guilty” and admitting, “Then I cut him up.”
The Victim’s Story and Community Impact
Michael Maisner, 66, known to be a laid-back individual waiting for hip replacement surgery, had allowed Rodriguez to stay in his home to help around the house. His nephew, Adam Maisner, described him as someone who looked forward to golf and motorcycle riding, unaware of the tragic turn his life would take.
“He was just a laid-back guy. He was waiting to get his hips replaced, and all he was thinking about was golfing and riding his motorcycle after that. That’s all he wanted to do.” – Adam Maisner
Legal Proceedings and Upcoming Sentencing
Rodriguez was arrested in New York after driving Maisner’s Cadillac approximately 40 miles away, leading to car theft charges before extradition back to Pennsylvania. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2024.
This case remains a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding mental illness and violent crime. More details and continuous updates about this case have been reported by Law & Crime and further coverage can be read here.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Victim: Michael Maisner, 66 years old
- Perpetrator: Marisa Jean Rodriguez, 37 years old
- Date of Crime: April 2023
- Location: Summit Township, Pennsylvania
- Charges: Third-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, firearm possession, theft, and others
- Mental Health: Rodriguez diagnosed with schizophrenia
- Sentencing Date: October 13, 2024
What Do You Think?
The tragic murder and subsequent actions by Marisa Jean Rodriguez raise many questions about crime, mental health, and community safety.
