The deaths of a Chester Heights couple found dead inside their home ruled as homicides

Pennsylvania State Police troopers found a couple murdered inside their home Monday evening in Chester Heights, investigators said Tuesday.

Troopers had been contacted by a relative of Richard and Rita Zajko, who had not heard from them for some time, officials said. During a welfare check at the couple’s home on Highland Circle, troopers discovered the 72-year-old man and 69-year-old woman unresponsive inside.

Their deaths have been ruled homicides, but the manner in which they were killed was not released by state police.

Law enforcement sources said the deaths do not appear to be random, and that there is no danger to the public.

Neighbors told The Inquirer on Tuesday that the Zajkos had lived in the home for decades. They were friendly, but generally kept to themselves. Their home was still heavily decorated for Christmas, a tradition the couple embraced every year, according to those neighbors.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call state police at Troop K in Media at 484-840-1000 or the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll at 1-800-4PA-8477.