01/30/2026
On Monday, Northampton Township Police responded to a welfare check at a home in Churchville, Pennsylvania. 53-year old Deborah Castiglia had not been heard from for several days and her vehicle was observed parked outside her parents’ residence. Upon arrival, officers were confronted at the door by a male armed with two knives. When he refused to comply, the officers deployed their tasers in an attempt to get him to surrender. Instead, the man slammed the door and barricaded himself inside the home.
After an hours-long standoff, tactical officers made entry and took the suspect into custody. Inside, the officers found the bodies of three family members: 90-year-old Fred Castiglia, his wife, 84-year-old Judith Castiglia, and their daughter, Deborah Castiglia. The suspect, identified as the son of Fred and Judith and the brother of Deborah, confessed to killing all three and has since been charged with their murders.
Deborah Castiglia was a longtime and deeply respected educator in the Centennial School District in Bucks County, PA. She began her teaching career at CSD in 1999 as a math teacher at Klinger Middle School before transitioning to William Tennent High School in 2018. During her tenure, she also coached girls’ volleyball and softball, further investing herself in the lives of her students.
Ms. Castiglia was my oldest daughter’s algebra teacher during her freshman and sophomore years at William Tennent, and she left a lasting impression long after her graduation. Deborah was remembered as a devoted educator who consistently went the extra mile. She taught with exceptional care and compassion, viewing her students as far more than just names in a classroom. Ms. Castiglia would often times stay after class to help anyone who was having difficulty understanding and completing their work. Deborah leaves behind a daughter and her longtime boyfriend. Her loss leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of those who knew, loved, and learned from her.
