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Man wanted for murder of Luzerne County woman remains at large

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — An accused killer remains on the run on Wednesday. 55-year-old Terence Ray from Hazleton is wanted for the brutal murder of 39-year-old Jessica Lockwood last week.

Her body was found burning along a Hazleton road. He's been the focus of a nationwide search ever since, and 28/22 News is learning more about Ray's past, which includes alleged violence and threats of violence against his own family.

The I-Team has confirmed that Ray's daughter filed a PFA, a protection from abuse order against him in 2022, and on Wednesday, 28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick talked to a drug counselor about substance abuse disorder.

Investigators say it was a factor in bringing Lockwood and Ray together on the day he allegedly killed her.

Ray is considered armed and dangerous, and he is still on the run on Wednesday.

Investigators say he murdered Jessica Lockwood inside his Muir Avenue home in Hazleton on Saturday, April 26.

An autopsy shows she died from a gunshot wound and blunt force trauma. Her body was found burning the next morning on Club 40 Road.

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Police searched his home and said they found evidence linking Ray to the murder.

The I-team obtained a copy of a PFA protection from abuse order filed against Ray by his daughter in 2022.

She lived on the other side of the family's double block home on Muir Avenue. She says he threatened to shoot her and writes in the PFA the following:

"Dad climbed through the window, yelling, punched myself, attacked my daughter, damaged property."

It's unclear if the case ever went through the court system.

So why did Lockwood meet up with Ray in the first place?

At a news conference earlier this week, District Attorney Sam offered an explanation.

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"Miss Lockwood was suffering from substance abuse disorder from chronic pain. She was suffering as a result of extensive neck surgery. Her last encounter prior to her death was believed to be that individual identified by police as Terence Ray," Sangeudolce explained.

Detectives say Lockwood had purchased painkillers from Ray in the past.

Jason Harlen is CEO of Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services.

He says it is not uncommon for people to do things they might not otherwise do.

"We revert back to the statement, 'Hey, I'm going through a withdrawal and I don't want to feel like this anymore. I already used my prescriptions at the pharmacy. I have no more left. I'm going to do whatever I can get them illegally, whether it be getting them off a drug dealer.' Whatever it might be. There's no boundaries when you're going through a withdrawal," Harlen stated.

Harlen tells 28/22 News that substance abuse disorder does not discriminate.

He has seen people from all walks of life suffer from that disorder. Police remind the public that Ray is considered armed and dangerous.

If you see him, do not approach him; call 911.

28/22 News will stay on this story more in the days ahead.