Man Accused of Stabbing His Boss to Death in Her Office After Complaining About Work Hours and Rent

A 63-year-old Pennsylvania man has been charged with murder after his boss was found stabbed to death inside an auto parts business, where investigators say he allegedly arrived shortly after her and left before other employees discovered her body.

The victim, identified as Mary Kelly, was found dead Tuesday morning, October 20, 2026, at Factory Motor Parts on Bobali Drive in Swatara Township, Dauphin County. According to court documents, two employees arriving for their shifts noticed spilled coffee, damage to a hallway wall and a trail of blood leading toward Kelly’s office. After seeing her lying on the floor, they left the building and called 911.

When officers searched the scene, they discovered what appeared to be bloody footprints leading into an adjacent warehouse. Inside a large trash can, investigators reportedly found two blood-covered kitchen knives and what appeared to be hair. Kelly had suffered apparent stab wounds to her head and neck, according to the affidavit.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed Kelly arriving at work and disabling the building’s alarm system. A red SUV arrived shortly afterward, and a man entered the business before leaving approximately 10 minutes later. Investigators said no one else appeared to enter the building before the next employees arrived and discovered Kelly’s body.

Investigators identified the suspect as Clifton Emerson Sr., 63, of Harrisburg, who had reportedly worked at the business for about four years. A coworker told police that Emerson had recently complained about receiving too few work hours and struggling to pay his rent. Authorities have not established that these financial difficulties were the motive for the killing.

Emerson was arrested in Maryland later that day and faces a first-degree murder charge, according to reports. The case remains in the legal process, and the allegations have yet to be tested at trial. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Kelly’s death.

Source: Law&Crime, with additional reporting from WGAL.