SCRUBGRASS TWP., Pa. (EYT) – As the investigation into the events surrounding the death of Kayla Dunlap continue, charges have been filed against a Kennerdell woman accused of helping dump her body.

Court documents indicate that the Butler-based State Police filed criminal charges on Monday against 23-year-old Grace Ann O’Day, of Kennerdell.

A criminal complaint filed by Trooper Balcik, of PSP Butler, indicates the investigation was initiated after a woman who was later identified as Kayla Dunlap, 28, of Callensburg, was found dead on September 17 in a wooded area along Lake Road near Oneida Valley Dam in Oakland Township, Butler County.

“Based on evidence found at the scene, it is believed that Dunlap was left on the side of the road after she died in a different location,” said Trooper Balcik in the criminal complaint.

Dunlap’s purse and other belongings were found near her body.

The criminal complaint states that an autopsy performed on Dunlap on September 17 revealed a defensive hand wound and a perimortem contusion on or around her head. The cause of death was determined to be combined fentanyl and amphetamine intoxication.

Kayla Dunlap

Shaun Long (pictured below) was interviewed on September 18, in relation to the whereabouts of Dunlap and indicated he last saw her when he left his residence on September 16, between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Long’s residence is located on Eakin Road in Scrubgrass Township, Venango County. Further interviews corroborated that Dunlap slept at Long’s residence until the early morning hours of September 16 and confirmed it was her last known location. The next time that Dunlap was seen occurred when she was found dead.

On October 2, Trooper Balcik reviewed Shaun Long’s cell phone records which were obtained through a search warrant. The cell phone data received indicates Long was in close proximity to where Dunlap’s body was discovered on Lake Road. The data also contradicted Long’s statement to investigators about where he was at that time. Additionally, the records revealed Long was conversing with individuals about “reloading with white fentanyl” on September 15.

Investigators got a big break in the case during an interview with a potential witness at the Venango County Jail on October 3.

Grace O’Day, who was in jail on unrelated charges at the time of the interview, said Long gave Dunlap five bags of fentanyl when she arrived at Long’s residence around 1:00 a.m. on September 16. She said she was there when Dunlap overdosed that day, and she gave Dunlap Narcan in an attempt to save her life, but the dose was unsuccessful and Long allegedly refused to call 9-1-1, according to the criminal complaint.

According to the criminal complaint, Oday told Tpr. Balcik that – after it was believed that Dunlap was dead – she helped Long dump her body in Butler County near a body of water. She identified the vehicle driven that day as a white SUV owned by Long and confirmed that he was the driver. She also said Long dumped Dunlap’s purse and its contents near the body. After returning to the Scrubgrass Twp. residence, Long allegedly burned a sheet that Dunlap had been wrapped in, according to the woman.

The criminal complaint states that a search warrant was served at Long’s residence on October 3. Investigators found a used nasal Narcan injector during the search. The following day, a search warrant was served on Long’s vehicle – a white 2008 Chevrolet Equinox – the same vehicle earlier identified by O’Day. During the course of the search, suspected blood stains were found on the corner of the rear cargo liner.

Based on the investigation, the following charges were filed against O’Day in Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey’s office on Monday, April 2:

– Criminal Conspiracy Engaging — Abuse Of Corpse, Misdemeanor 2
– Criminal Conspiracy Engaging — Tamper With/Fabricate Physical Evidence, Misdemeanor 3
– Furnish Authorities With Information W/O Knowledge, Misdemeanor 3

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 am on Wednesday, April 25, with Judge Lowrey presiding.

A certified summons was issued on April 2.

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