Mom of 4 killed outside Chester County Wawa, husband arrested

UPPER UWCHLAN TWP., Pa. - March 26, 2012 (WPVI) -- The Chester County district attorney says a man has been arrested for the murder of his estranged wife, and the mother of their four children, outside a Wawa convenience store.

James Hvizda, 45, allegedly stabbed his wife, Kimberly, at approximately 11:10 p.m. Sunday outside the store at 1800 Ticonderoga Boulevard in Upper Uwchlan Township.

In a written statement, District Attorney Tom Hogan stated, "This was a cold-blooded, pre-planned killing.  The defendant executed his wife, the mother of his four children, with casual efficiency.  Those four children are now left without a mother and with a father charged with murder."

According to the police affidavit, the pair spoke by cell phone on Wednesday and agreed to meet at the store. The purpose of the meeting, Hogan said, was so Kimberly Hvizda could give James Hvizda two letters.

Hogan said James Hvizda had met Kimberly at the store where she worked as she was beginning her shift. The two had a conversation in front of the store, Hogan said, then walked over to Kimberly's van.

"She retrieved some letters she was going to give to Mr. Hvizda and, when she turned around, he stabbed her multiple times," said Charles Gaza of the Chester County District Attorney's office.

When Kimberly did not return to the store, a fellow employee went outside to check on her and found her in the parking lot.

At about the same time, Hogan said, James Hvizda walked into the Upper Uwchlan Police Department to report he had just killed his wife.

Rescuers arrived at the scene to find Kimberly Hvizda dead.

According to the affidavit, James Hvizda told investigators he started a journal on or about March 17th in which he wrote about his desire to kill Kimberly Hvizda. James Hvizda allegedly told investigators he agreed to meet with Kimberly on Sunday night with the intention of killing her.

James Hvizda bought the knife on Saturday with the intention of using it to kill Kimberly Hvizda, according to affidavit. What isn't clear is why, after months of marital difficulties, James Hvizda allegedly chose murder.

"As far as we know there was no altercation between the defendant and the victim prior to the attack," said Gaza.

Kimberly Hvizda had a Protection From Abuse Order against James Hvizda since November of 2011, Hogan said. The order was to be active until November 2014. 

She began working at the Wawa in October, shortly after she moved her children out of the family home into a trailer about five miles away.

The Hvizda's four children range in age from 18 months old to 13 years old.

James Hvizda was arraigned on criminal homicide charges on Monday morning and ordered to be held without bail. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 3rd.

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pennsylvania, chester county, homicide, stabbing, local/state

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