Rostraver Township, PA – A magisterial judge held a single count of criminal homicide for court against a Rostraver Township man. 

Robert Chaplin, 34, appeared for a preliminary hearing in front of Magistrate Judge John Christner on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. 

After a 45-minute hearing and testimony presented by the Commonwealth, the judge ruled the case against Chaplin can proceed to trial. 

Rostraver Township Police Department and Westmoreland County Detective Bureau responded to the shooting on the 900 block of Route 136 just before 11 p.m. on February 5, 2025. 

Officers encountered Chaplin outside of the residence in the driveway.

The victim, Estela Rivera Vasquez, 35, was found lying on the floor of the home near a basement door of the residence. 

She was transported to Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital where she was pronounced deceased an hour later.

Police recovered several spent shell casings and a black firearm from the scene.

Chaplin remains in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail. 

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.