December 5, 2025

A Pike County man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2024 murders of his parents in Milford Township. Colin Winkler, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of Murder in the Third Degree for the deaths of Jeffery and Jacqueline Winkler.

President Judge Gregory Chelak imposed a sentence of life imprisonment plus an additional 20 years in state prison. Winkler was also ordered to pay a two thousand dollar fine.

The case began on September 24, 2024, when Pennsylvania State Police were called to the Winkler residence for a reported mental health emergency. Investigators learned that Winkler’s brother had been on the phone with their mother moments before the incident. During that call, she expressed concern that Colin was experiencing what she believed was a psychotic episode.

Troopers arriving at the home found Winkler outside on a deck, unclothed and covered in blood. In a state of confusion he told troopers that he believed he had woken up bloody and in handcuffs after being in surgery.

Winkler later admitted to investigators that a crime had occurred inside the home and acknowledged killing both of his parents. Pike County Coroner Christopher Brighton determined that both victims died from sharp force injuries and classified each death as homicide.

District Attorney Ray Tonkin released the following statement: “In cases like these I do go to observe the crime scene He certainly deserves life in prison as the killing of two people, especially someone's own parents who gave him everything, is truly heinous.”