Mystery still surrounds deaths of two Seneca Valley teens
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Twenty years after the deaths of two Seneca Valley teens along a Forward Township road, a mother continues searching for answers, and police continue investigating.
Sunday marked the anniversary of when two 15-year-old best friends, Scott Fosnaught and Shawn Baur, were found mortally wounded along Cashdollar Road in the early morning hours of July 17, 2002.
All these years later, the family remembers the fateful night’s events, but investigators appear no closer to answers.
Ailvie Rausch, mother of Scott Fosnaught, said this anniversary of her son’s death was unlike any other.
“It was just numbing, because it’s been 20 years,” she said. “I didn’t do anything (this year). It was horrible.”
Police investigating the deaths in 2002 said Scott and Shawn had been with eight other people at a friend’s house the night they were killed.
When traveling on foot to Shawn’s home on Watters Station Road around 1:30 a.m., police said Scott possibly was struck by a vehicle and died on the road of upper-body injuries. When police arrived, Shawn was alive next to Scott. He died of head injuries at a Pittsburgh hospital shortly after.
An Allegheny County coroner believed the teens were killed after being hit by a vehicle, but no glass, car parts or tire tracks were found at the scene.
According to Josh Black, public information officer at the Butler barracks of state police, the case remains under investigation 20 years later.
“It’s being handled by the criminal investigation assessment unit, or CIA, which typically handles cold cases,” he said.
“They’re doing better than they have in the past,” Rausch said of police. “I know it’s busy, and everywhere is understaffed.”
Rausch, in conjunction with the organization We Can Bring You Hope, organized a demonstration in 2020 in front of the Butler state police barracks to raise awareness for her son’s case.
The nationwide organization has volunteers based in Middlesex Township that help families with missing persons, human trafficking and domestic violence cases.
Tips are still being received by police and We Can Bring You Hope, Rausch said.
“It helps with the time passing. It’s not a stand still. That’s the hardest part, the waiting game,” she said. “There are still tips coming in. I’m hoping this is the last year.
Michelle Bender of We Can Bring You Hope said the community feels comfortable bringing information to them regarding cases, since they’re not affiliated with law enforcement.
She said the families of Scott and Shawn deserve closure.
“Twenty years is a long time to keep a secret. We get tips on a regular basis. We just need a piece of the puzzle that connects the dots,” she said. “Most relationships from 20 years ago have changed. That helps in our favor for getting the truth.”
Though Rausch did not commemorate Scott’s death with a vigil or demonstration this year, she said she will never give up searching for answers about her son.
“As long as I’m alive I will keep digging and dig until I find out who killed my son and they’re punished. I can’t give up,” she said.
“Our plea to the community is this: please, if you know anything, come forward. Make a difference. Make this right,” Bender said. “I know you will feel a burden lift from your shoulders.”
Information on the deaths of Shawn Baur and Scott Fosnaught can be phoned in or texted to We Can Give You Hope at 724-466-4673 or placed in the tip portal at www.wecanbringyouhope.org.
