Wilkinsburg man who drove dead woman around in his pickup truck; charged with homicide

A Wilkinsburg man allegedly drove around with a woman’s corpse in his truck for several days until witnesses he’d confessed to alerted police to the apparent homicide, according to charges filed earlier this week.

Shawn Higgins, 62, is charged with one count of homicide in connection with the death, which is being handled by police in Allegheny County, but the coroner’s office in Westmoreland County.

According to the criminal complaint, two of Mr. Higgins’ friends called 911 on Monday to report that he’d told them he’d beaten his girlfriend, Jackie Pryber, to death and her body was still in his truck. He told the couple he had nowhere to go and that he was coming to their home.

Authorities from Westmoreland County arrived at the home Monday afternoon and found Ms. Pryber covered by blan