Woman Charged with Third-Degree Murder for April Stabbing in Haines Township

Police on Wednesday charged a woman with third-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of a man in April in Penns Valley.

Brittany Guisewhite, 28, is accused of killing 26-year-old Robert Farwell, of Spring Mills, in the early morning hours of April 8 following an argument inside her Haines Township home.

Pennsylvania State Police wrote in a criminal complaint that Guisewhite and Farwell knew each other for two and a half years and had “a tumultuous relationship” that had soured over the previous eight months.

Guisewhite allegedly told police that Farwell showed up at her house unannounced and during an argument over food, she locked herself in a bedroom. According to the complaint, she opened the door brandishing a knife and warned Farwell not to move toward her. When he did, she allegedly “lunged toward Farwell and stabbed him in the chest with the knife,” police wrote.

Police said Guisewhite appeared to be under the influence of drugs when they arrived on the scene. A toxicology report indicated that she tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine and THC.

Farwell was taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center, where he died of a single stab wound. A coroner’s report stated the knife fractured one of his ribs, punctured his left lung and lacerated his heart.

A passerby who Guisewhite flagged down after the stabbing allegedly told police that she said “it was an accident and he was trying to give me a hug.” Another passerby said she told him “I didn’t mean to. He surprised me.”

Friends and former roommates told police that Guisewhite frequently used drugs and exhibited erratic and paranoid behavior. One former roommate allegedly said she never saw Farwell strike Guisewhite but that she witnessed Guisewhite strike Farwell on several occasions with an open hand and once with a broom handle.

Another former roommate said when she met with Guisewhite the night before the stabbing, Guisewhite was “on edge,” “very anxious” and “appeared to be under the influence of drugs due to her erratic and paranoid behavior,” according to the complaint.

Guisewhite is charged with third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and possession of a controlled substance. She was unable to post $250,000 bail and is being held at the Centre County Correctional Facility.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3.