A Pittsburgh-area woman was found shot to death in a crawlspace. Investigators believe they have found the weapon that killed her

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A dive team has recovered a weapon that investigators believe was used in the murder of a Westmoreland County woman last year.

The Murrysville Medic One Dive Team pulled a pistol from the bottom of Donegal Lake on Friday. The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office said the gun may be connected to the killing of 71-year-old Alice Robson.

“After about an hour of searching, a weapon was recovered. Great job for everyone who was on scene,” the Murrysville Medic One Dive Team posted on Facebook.

In December 2023, Matthew Bates, Robert Jack and Melissa Beacom were charged in Robson’s death. Her body was found in a crawl space under the back porch of her St. Clair Township home. An autopsy revealed she had been shot twice in the head.

Beacom, Robson’s daughter, asked Bates several times to kill Robson for her, investigators said. Robson’s body was found in the crawlspace covered in rubble.

Bates told investigators that Beacom did not have the best relationship with Robson due to issues surrounding custody of Robson’s grandson.