Authorities have named Troy R. Tierney as the man who told police he accidentally shot his 21-year-old girlfriend Oct. 24 in hunting grounds about 30 minutes from campus, seizing four pages of the Port Matilda man's medical records.
The Pennsylvania State Police at Philipsburg wrote, in a search warrant request for medical records, that Tierney said he mistakenly thought Racheal Lynn Perryman was a deer when he accidentally shot her at about 8:30 p.m. at Black Moshannon State Forest in Union Township.
University officials said Tierney is listed as a Penn State student.
Authorities are investigating whether criminal homicide charges should be filed in relation with the incident, according to the warrant for his medical records.
Police described Tierney as "lethargic and extremely relaxed" Oct. 24 and said he "may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol to some degree," according to the warrant.
During police interviews, Tierney told authorities he did not consume alcohol before the incident but did ingest prescription medication, according to court documents.
"A suspect's state of mind is relevant in a potential prosecution for these offenses," the warrant states. "Evidence corroborating the suspect's drug or alcohol usage directly relates to the suspect's state of mind on Oct. 24."
The warrant does not specify the contents of the medical records.
Tierney was later committed to Mount Nittany Medical Center after telling authorities "there was no reason for living," police said.
Court documents from a rape case also identify Tierney as Perryman's boyfriend. Perryman told police in January that Kyle Lingle, 21, raped her in August 2008 at Lingle's residence, according to court documents.
Lingle, of Milesburg, is facing charges of rape and sexual assault, according to court documents.
Centre County Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane said he is currently researching the rape case to decide how the charges will proceed because Perryman is deceased and cannot testify.
Sloane said Perryman testified at the preliminary hearing but said he wasn't sure if that evidence would be sufficient testimony in court.
"The law allows you to use that," Sloane said. "But whether that's enough -- we're going to have to look at that tape and check with the family."
While prosecutors continue to discuss the rape case, police continue to follow leads in Perryman's death.
Police investigation revealed a possible history of domestic violence between Tierney and Perryman, and police said the pair was living together, according to court documents.
Court officials said they are awaiting a warrant to be returned regarding Tierney's phone records from Verizon Wireless.
Police also searched Tierney's car and seized prescriptions from CVS Pharmacy and two blood-soaked Centre Daily Times pages, according to court documents. Police also seized a plastic garbage bag, a hunting light kit and a small green notebook.
