Authorities 'actively investigating' homicide of New Kensington 9-year-old Azuree Charles

Authorities are still investigating the now-more-than-month-old homicide of a 9-year-old New Kensington boy, according to a statement Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli released Thursday.

Azuree Charles was found dead May 4 outside his East Ken Manor home on Haser Drive.

Authorities have not disclosed how Charles died, and no one has been arrested or charged in his death.

In the statement, Ziccarelli said her office and New Kensington police are actively investigating.

“There is still a person of interest in this case, and we do not believe the community is in danger,” Ziccarelli said in the statement. “The commonwealth has the burden to prove criminal homicide beyond a reasonable doubt. As such, investigations must be conducted thoroughly and diligently, evidence takes time to be processed, and every lead must be pursued.

“Rest assured, we are pursuing justice for Azuree and remain vigilant in the investigation into his death. This has rocked our community, and we are dedicating every resource we have, including a team of detectives from my office, the New Kensington Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab, to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion.”

Ziccarelli did not respond to a request to answer questions.

Authorities have not identified the person of interest since saying May 5 that there was one.

At least 200 people attended a vigil for Charles that night.

Charles’ father, Jean J. Charles, 40, is awaiting trial on charges of simple assault and child endangerment that were filed in November, but on which he was not arrested until May 5, after Azuree had died.

Jean Charles waived his right to a preliminary hearing May 26. He is scheduled for a formal arraignment July 26 in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court.

He is being held without bond in the Westmoreland County Prison.