UPDATE: Chadds Ford woman’s death ruled a homicide
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Karlie Hall, a 2014 gradate of Unionville High School, died early Sunday morning following an alleged altercation with her boyfriend, Gregorio Orrostieta of Kennett. Image courtesy Facebook.
LANCASTER —The Lancaster County Coroner ruled Monday afternoon that the death of a Chadds Ford woman was a homicide, prompting additional charges against a Kennett man in her death, Sunday.
Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni said, following an autopsy, Karlie Hall a freshman at Millerville University, 18, of Chadds Ford, died “as the result of strangulation and multiple traumatic injuries.”
Gregorio Orrostieta, 19, a graduate of Kennett High School, is now charged with Homicide and Aggravated Assault in the death of Hall, a 2014 Unionville High School graduate, early Sunday morning.
According to authorities, Orrostieta and Hall were involved in some manner of physical altercation when he allegedly pushed Hall and she fell and hit her head on a chair. Orrostieta apparently hit her again and she became unresponsive. Emergency responders were immediately called to Hall’s dorm room on report of a cardiac arrest, but were unable to revive her.
The autopsy revealed additional injuries, including signs of strangulation, Diamantoni announced Monday afternoon.
Orrostieta surrendered to police and is currently in custody at Lancaster County Prison on $1.5 million in bail. Authorities said they do not think any other parties were involved.
The president of Millersville, John Anderson, notified the college community Sunday evening of the death.
“It is with profound sadness that I write to you this evening,” Anderson said in a statement to the college community. “Our university community has suffered an unfathomable loss, the death of one of our students, Karlie Hall, of Chadds Ford, Pa. I ask that you join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to Karlie’s family and friends. If you personally knew Karlie, please accept my heartfelt condolences at this most difficult time.”
Meanwhile, students at Unionville High School were offered grief counseling, after the news of Hall’s death became known.
Charges upgraded to HOMICIDE! We can only hope that Orrostieta spends the rest of his life behind bars! #RIP
Thanks for noting that — we were in the process of updating the story (since updated) when you posted. A horrible, horrible story. As a parent, I am heartbroken for the family and offer our sincere condolences.