A young Pennsylvania scientist was fatally shot with her own gun while desperately trying to run away from her boyfriend after ending their relationship.
Alyssa Wiest, 25, of Conshohocken, had went to meet her boyfriend of two years Michael Dutkiewicz on Sunday and break up with him.
But her promising future as a microbiologist tragically cut short when she was found dead on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds to her torso.
Michael, 26, of Warminster, was arrested and charged in connection with the senseless killing, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
‘He knew she was out of his league, and I think as soon as he realized she was pushing him away, he couldn’t cope with leaving one of the best things to happen to him,’ Kurt Wiest, Alyssa’s brother, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
On Sunday evening, Alyssa packed Michael’s suitcase with his clothes and told him to move out of her home.
Her brother, Kurt, described the decision as completely in character for Alyssa, who was known to be the one who ‘wore the pants’ in the relationship.
Police said that Michael shot Alyssa dead with her own weapon in a jealous rage, refusing to accept the end of their time together.
Just before 12.30am Sunday, authorities horrifically discovered Alyssa face down on the sidewalk, suffering from several gunshot wounds, according to the DA’s office.
Alyssa Wiest (pictured), 25, of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, was fatally shot with her own gun while desperately running away from her boyfriend of two-years, 26-year-old Michael Dutkiewicz, after attempting to end their relationship on Sunday evening
Michael (pictured), 26, of Warminster, was arrested and charged in connection with the senseless killing
Just before 12.30am Sunday, authorities responded to Alyssa’s neighborhood on Moorehead Avenue and horrifically discovered her face down on the sidewalk, suffering from several gunshot wounds
Two of those shots were fired while she was lying on the ground outside her home, investigators said.
Alyssa was immediately rushed to Lankenau Hospital – located less than 10 miles from the crime scene – but was tragically pronounced dead shortly after arrival, leaving her family overwhelmed with grief and frustration.
‘She didn’t deserve to go like this. She never hurt a soul and never wanted to,’ Kurt told The Inquirer. ‘She was full of life, and had so many dreams and aspirations she wanted to achieve.’
The disturbing discovery prompted a joint investigation by the West Conshohocken Borough Police and Montgomery County Detectives, who began reviewing evidence and identifying potential witnesses.
An initial investigation by detectives, along with evidence found at the scene, suggested that Alyssa was attempting to escape her killer when ‘they began firing bullets at her inside her home’, People reported.
Authorities determined that Alyssa managed to make it out her front door and halfway down the block before her life was cut short.
According to the news release, ‘the door to the victim’s residence, a few doors from where she was found, was ajar, and there was blood found both inside her residence and along the sidewalk leading to her body’.
Meanwhile, detectives also began interviewing neighborhood witnesses, who provided further insight into the events that unfolded.
An initial investigation by detectives, along with evidence found at the scene, suggested that Alyssa was attempting to escape her killer when ‘they began firing bullets at her inside her home’
Neighbors told police that they heard screams coming from Alyssa’s home on Sunday, followed by a series of gunshots before they saw Michael walk outside the home, quickly look around and then leave the scene in his Ford pickup truck (pictured: Michael in middle)
Authorities determined that Alyssa managed to make it out her front door and halfway down the block before her life was cut short (pictured: flowers left at Alyssa’s front door)
During the interviews, neighbors told police that they had heard screams coming from Alyssa’s home on Sunday, followed by a series of gunshots, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by The Inquirer.
Witnesses also recalled seeing Michael walk outside the home, quickly look around, and then hop into his Ford pickup truck before fleeing the scene.
This information was confirmed when detectives tracked Michael’s movements using license plate readers, revealing that he was traveling through the area almost immediately after Alyssa was shot dead, according to the news release.
Detectives also discovered a suitcase containing men’s clothes outside the home, along with a phone at the bottom of a stairwell, which they believed belonged to Michael, according to a criminal complaint obtained by People.
Inside the home, police discovered a Ruger .38-caliber handgun – a weapon registered to Alyssa – had been fired multiple times, The Inquirer reported.
Based on the location and trajectory of the gunfire, investigators determined that the killer had followed Alyssa down the stairs from her second-floor bedroom and out of her home.
As authorities searched for Michael’s whereabouts in the hours after the killing, they received a call from his mother informing them that he would turn himself in.
Hours later, Michael finally arrived at the West Conshohocken Police Department, bringing the suspected murder weapon with him.
Police said that Michael shot Alyssa dead with her own weapon in a jealous rage, refusing to accept the end of their time together
He was charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder and possessing an instrument of a crime, according to the news release.
Although there were no signs of domestic abuse in the relationship, Alyssa’s family said they still had uneasy feelings about Michael – particularly concerns about his ‘hard partying’ lifestyle and reckless behavior.
According to Alyssa’s brother, Michael had been kicked out of bars for drunken behavior and had a history of drag racing, The Inquirer reported.
Michael was arraigned on Sunday, with his next court appearance scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 29.
He is now being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility until trial, as first-degree murder suspects are not eligible for bail in the state.
Although Michael has not yet entered a plea, court records reveal he has prior convictions for minor offenses, including trespassing and disorderly conduct related to a fight last month.
Alyssa was described by family as an adventurous spirit whose ‘presence lit up every room she entered,’ according to her obituary.
‘Her kindness knew no bounds, her laughter was contagious, and her gentle soul had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and cherished,’ the memorial read.
Although there were no signs of domestic abuse in the relationship, Alyssa’s family said they still had uneasy feelings about Michael – particularly concerns about his ‘hard partying’ lifestyle and reckless behavior (pictured: Alyssa on right)
Michael finally arrived at the West Conshohocken Police Department hours later to turn himself in, bringing the suspected murder weapon with him (pictured: Michael on left)
Michael was charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder and possessing an instrument of a crime (pictured: Alyssa)
‘She was a rare combination of brilliance, creativity, and compassion – a beautiful soul with so much promise and love to give.’
Even at just 25 years old, Alyssa had already graduated from the University of Delaware and secured a position at GSK as a microbiologist, working toward her goal of improving pharmaceutical effectiveness and making medications more affordable.
She was described as an avid traveler, having visited Europe and South America several times in her pursuit of experiencing different cultures.
Recently, her family said, she had taken up painting – creating beautiful landscapes, portraits and other works that she lovingly gifted as anniversary and birthday presents to her loved ones, The Inquirer reported.
‘She had a way of making everyone around her feel important, seen, and loved. Her friendships ran deep, and her warmth and empathy made her a natural confidante, a shoulder to lean on, and a loyal companion,’ Alyssa’s obituary read.
‘Though Alyssa’s time on Earth was far too brief, her legacy of love, light, and laughter will live on in the hearts of all who knew her,’ it added.
‘She touched countless lives with her kindness and strength. May we carry her memory forward by living as she did – with courage, compassion, and an unwavering zest for life.’
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24/7 at no cost.
The National Domestic Hotline offers assistance in more than 140 languages. They can be reached at 800-799-7233 or by texting START to 88788. If you are unable to call, a life chat option is available.