A missing Penn State professor has been found dead, and a Pennsylvania Furnace man has been charged with his murder, Pennsylvania State Police at Rockview announced on Friday afternoon.
George G. Ishler, 39, is accused of killing Ronald Bettig of Lemont. Bettig’s body was found in a quarry on Wednesday by State Police, after the 56-year-old was reported missing to State College Police on Monday. Police said at that time that his car was also missing.
Bettig’s maroon Ford Focus was located off Rimmey Road in Potter Township on Wednesday. State Police searched the area and discovered Bettig’s body in a quarry off of Route 192.
A joint investigation by State Police and State College Police found that Ishler allegedly ‘drove [Bettig] to the quarry under a ruse.’ Police allege that at the quarry, Ishler pushed Bettig off of a ledge and Bettig fell 80 feet to his death. Police did not disclose an alleged motive.
Ishler has been charged with first degree murder, third degree murder, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence. He was arraigned by District Judge Thomas Jordan and denied bail. Ishler is being held at the Centre County Correctional Facility and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 31
Bettig was an associate professor of media studies in Penn State’s College of Communications. According to the college’s website, he joined the Penn State faculty in 1988 and taught undergraduate and graduate courses on ‘the political economy of communications.’
A homicide investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call State Police at Rockview at 814-355-7545.
