Topline: The suspect claimed flea medication was dangerous and said he had to protect the household.
Published: May 13, 2025 7:00 am ET
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George Sisco (via Pike County DA's Office)
MILFORD, PA — A Pennsylvania man was sentenced for the murder of his grandmother and arson of her home.
George Sisco, 29, was sentenced to a total sentence of 23½ years, up to 60 years, in a state correctional facility along with a fine of $2,500.00, Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin announced.
Sisco previously pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the crimes of Murder in the Third Degree, Arson Endangering Persons, and Terroristic Threats.
On April 26, 2024, a fire was reported at the home of Margie Finlay in Milford Township. Shortly after, the Pennsylvania State Police responded and conducted a criminal investigation. When Milford Fire Department arrived on scene, the assistant chief noticed Sisco at the front of the house. Assistant chief attempted to ask Sisco if he was injured due to the blood on his clothes, but Sisco would not respond.
Sisco then made his way further into the residence threatening anyone who tried to enter, prosecutors said.
Once firefighters were able to make entry into the residence and extinguish the fire, a deceased body was located in the kitchen area. Sisco the readily admitted to police that he killed his grandmother and started a fire in the house, saying the flea medication she was putting on the cat was harmful, according to authorities.
Pike County Corner Christopher Brighton responded to the scene and identified the deceased as Margie Finlay. An autopsy determined the cause of death as both sharp force and blunt force injuries.
“There are no winners here, the loved ones of Margie Finlay deeply grieve their loss and that can never be fully repaired,” said District Attorney Tonkin, who prosecuted the case. “The brave firefighters who responded to the scene did their best to save Ms. Finlay, but she was already deceased before the fire was started. The responding firefighters, Milford Police Officers and deputy sheriffs did an excellent job performing their duties to save others from more injury and apprehending George Sisco. The Pennsylvania State Police then followed up with their investigation leading to criminal charges.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Man Says He Killed Grandmother Over Cat’s Flea Medication, Then Set Her House on Fire
The suspect claimed flea medication was dangerous and said he had to protect the household.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 13, 2025 7:00 am ET
George Sisco (via Pike County DA's Office)
MILFORD, PA — A Pennsylvania man was sentenced for the murder of his grandmother and arson of her home.
George Sisco, 29, was sentenced to a total sentence of 23½ years, up to 60 years, in a state correctional facility along with a fine of $2,500.00, Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin announced.
Sisco previously pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the crimes of Murder in the Third Degree, Arson Endangering Persons, and Terroristic Threats.
On April 26, 2024, a fire was reported at the home of Margie Finlay in Milford Township. Shortly after, the Pennsylvania State Police responded and conducted a criminal investigation. When Milford Fire Department arrived on scene, the assistant chief noticed Sisco at the front of the house. Assistant chief attempted to ask Sisco if he was injured due to the blood on his clothes, but Sisco would not respond.
Sisco then made his way further into the residence threatening anyone who tried to enter, prosecutors said.
Once firefighters were able to make entry into the residence and extinguish the fire, a deceased body was located in the kitchen area. Sisco the readily admitted to police that he killed his grandmother and started a fire in the house, saying the flea medication she was putting on the cat was harmful, according to authorities.
Pike County Corner Christopher Brighton responded to the scene and identified the deceased as Margie Finlay. An autopsy determined the cause of death as both sharp force and blunt force injuries.
“There are no winners here, the loved ones of Margie Finlay deeply grieve their loss and that can never be fully repaired,” said District Attorney Tonkin, who prosecuted the case. “The brave firefighters who responded to the scene did their best to save Ms. Finlay, but she was already deceased before the fire was started. The responding firefighters, Milford Police Officers and deputy sheriffs did an excellent job performing their duties to save others from more injury and apprehending George Sisco. The Pennsylvania State Police then followed up with their investigation leading to criminal charges.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Says He Killed Grandmother Over Cat’s Flea Medication, Then Set Her House on Fire
The suspect claimed flea medication was dangerous and said he had to protect the household.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 13, 2025 7:00 am ET
George Sisco (via Pike County DA's Office)
MILFORD, PA — A Pennsylvania man was sentenced for the murder of his grandmother and arson of her home.
George Sisco, 29, was sentenced to a total sentence of 23½ years, up to 60 years, in a state correctional facility along with a fine of $2,500.00, Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin announced.
Sisco previously pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the crimes of Murder in the Third Degree, Arson Endangering Persons, and Terroristic Threats.
On April 26, 2024, a fire was reported at the home of Margie Finlay in Milford Township. Shortly after, the Pennsylvania State Police responded and conducted a criminal investigation. When Milford Fire Department arrived on scene, the assistant chief noticed Sisco at the front of the house. Assistant chief attempted to ask Sisco if he was injured due to the blood on his clothes, but Sisco would not respond.
Sisco then made his way further into the residence threatening anyone who tried to enter, prosecutors said.
Once firefighters were able to make entry into the residence and extinguish the fire, a deceased body was located in the kitchen area. Sisco the readily admitted to police that he killed his grandmother and started a fire in the house, saying the flea medication she was putting on the cat was harmful, according to authorities.
Pike County Corner Christopher Brighton responded to the scene and identified the deceased as Margie Finlay. An autopsy determined the cause of death as both sharp force and blunt force injuries.
“There are no winners here, the loved ones of Margie Finlay deeply grieve their loss and that can never be fully repaired,” said District Attorney Tonkin, who prosecuted the case. “The brave firefighters who responded to the scene did their best to save Ms. Finlay, but she was already deceased before the fire was started. The responding firefighters, Milford Police Officers and deputy sheriffs did an excellent job performing their duties to save others from more injury and apprehending George Sisco. The Pennsylvania State Police then followed up with their investigation leading to criminal charges.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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