A second man has been arrested and charged with homicide in connection with the 2011 stabbing death of 56-year-old businessman Jonathan Balester. The case, which remained unsolved for over a decade, saw a significant breakthrough earlier this year when investigators first arrested the victim’s cousin, 69-year-old Frederick Balester of Hanover Township. Following that initial January arrest, continued investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police—including search warrants, lab analysis, and additional interviews—led authorities to 64-year-old Thomas “Tim” Hunter, also of Hanover Township.
Hunter was officially charged with homicide and is currently held at the Luzerne County Prison after being denied bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 19. Meanwhile, Frederick Balester remains in custody awaiting his trial, which is currently set for October 5. Local authorities noted that the combination of modern forensic lab analysis and re-interviewing key witnesses was instrumental in finally bringing charges in the 15-year-old case.
