Story by Curtis Walsh with contributions by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published May 2, 2024 3:00 P.M.
Photo of Liz Repic & her children courtesy of Joel Repic

(New Brighton, Pa) A woman was found deceased on April 12th at an apartment complex in New Brighton. Sources say an anonymous caller tipped off police that a body was at Brightwood Manor Apartments. A body, identified as Liz Repic, was discovered in a basement storage unit of Building 2020 during a search. Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer reported Thursday that her death is still under investigation.

New Brighton Police Chief Ron Walton reported Thursday that an arrest was made in connection with the death, relaying that James Livingston of Aliquippa was arrested in connection with Repic’s death and PA State Police are handling the case. Livingston was charged with abuse of a corpse. Sources say he put her body in the basement.

Beaver County Radio spoke to those that were close to Liz, who say they suspect foul play was involved. They were open that Liz had struggles with substance abuse and had served jail time. One of Liz’s friends is the legal guardian of her two children. The last known whereabouts of Liz was when she attended one of her sons soccer games on April 6 before taking her kids to Wal-Mart and dropping the kids back off later that night. After not hearing from her in the following days, her friends and family started checking places to find out where she was.

Liz had a Beaver Falls address but was actively staying in New Brighton. After 4 days, an attempt was made to file a missing persons report with the New Brighton Police Department, who allegedly relayed the report would have to be filed with Beaver Falls. Beaver Falls Police allegedly responded that New Brighton would have to file the report. An anonymous call was then received that her body was at Brightwood Manor and was discovered on April 12th.  Her last phone ping was reportedly in New Brighton at an unspecified location.

People close to Liz say that her phone, purse, money, and clothes that she was in possession of have not been found. They say they have reasons to believe something suspicious happened to her.

Liz was described as “an amazing mother who loved her kids, her faith in God was like no there. She was loving, caring, and tried to help everybody.”  A memorial for Liz was setup outside of Brightwood Manor but was removed Wednesday by an unknown person or group.

Livingston accepted a plea in Beaver County Court on Thursday to serve 3 to 23 months for the charge of abuse of corpse.

The State Police are continuing to investigate the case.