DA: Stepfather may have sexually abused corpse of Jessica Padgett

NORTHAMPTON, Pa. -- Authorities are investigating the possibility that the body of a Lehigh Valley mother of three was sexually abused after her murder.

The body of 33-year-old Jessica Padgett was found last week beneath a shed on a property in Allen Township shared by her mother and stepfather, 53-year-old Gregory Robert Graf.

Investigators have charged Graf with murder.

From the start, prosecutors said there were indications of a sexual motive in the case.

Monday night, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli told HLN television host Nancy Grace the sexual motive was "either prior to the murder, during or a desire perhaps to have sex with a deceased body."

Authorities say Graf confessed to shooting his stepdaughter of 20 years in the back of the head, burying her body behind a shed and moving her car away from the scene.

Police said Graf is an avid hunter and used one of his guns in the crime.

A gofundme web page has been set up to benefit Padgett's three children.