Harrison officials condemned a dilapidated home on Blue Ridge Avenue where police say a disabled man was murdered two weeks ago.
The two-story home in the Natrona section of the township has numerous electrical and exterior violations as well as “a multitude of sanitary problems,” said Harrison zoning and code enforcement officer Joseph Marino Jr.
“We believe it's uninhabitable at this point,” he said. “It's just a dangerous place.”
Larry Duff, 56, and Jason Link, 22, are accused in the beating death of Ronald Duff, 61, in the house they all shared at 112 Blue Ridge Ave. Ronald is Larry Duff's brother.
Police also filed charges against Lisa Duff, 39, the wife of Larry Duff, including neglect of a care-dependent person, simple assault and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, in connection with the incident.
Ronald Duff, a mentally and physically disabled man, was found dead Oct. 15. He had injuries consistent with being punched and beaten with a wooden stick but police initially charged Link and Larry Duff only with assault and neglect pending the results of an autopsy.
About a week later, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Ronald Duff's death a homicide.
Larry Duff and Link were denied bail and remain in the Allegheny County Jail. Lisa Duff was released from the county jail after posting $5,000 bond.
Harrison officials notified the Allegheny County Health Department on Oct. 16 of their plans to proceed with condemning the house, said health department spokesman Guillermo Cole.
Signs warning neighbors of the condemnation had not yet been posted Tuesday afternoon. Letters notifying the homeowner and occupants were sent late Friday, Marino said.
Various items are scattered in the front yard of the property, including a push mower, a wet-dry vacuum, a bench seat from a car, a child's high chair and wooden furniture.
Part of a rain gutter leaned on the front porch, which is partially enclosed with plywood and littered with cardboard boxes.
Similar items are strewn across the fenced-in back yard.
The county health department received what turned out to be an unfounded complaint about the house last year, Cole said. Someone contacted the department saying there was garbage and rats outside but inspectors found no evidence of that, Cole said.
Harrison officials have not determined whether to demolish the property. That could be considered in the future, Marino said.
Jodi Weigand is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4702 or jweigand@tribweb.com.
