Terri Hodel, 41, of Allentown, is charged with criminal homicide following an investigation of a July 31 killing.

Around 4:45 p.m. that day, Salisbury Township police were called to 715 E. Federal St. for a request to check on the welfare of Hodel, one of the occupants of the home. Police had received a report of concern from a member of Hodel’s family. Officers were not able to make contact with the occupants of the home and entered through a door while continuing to announce their presence.

Hodel exited a bedroom and told the officers she was okay and asked them to leave. Officers asked about the other occupant of the home, Tracy Lynn Hoffman. Hodel told officers she had not seen Hoffman and the officers left, but noted that Hoffman’s car was parked in the driveway. Police notified Lehigh County Crisis and caseworkers again checked on the welfare of the occupants of the Federal Street home and heard dogs barking, but received no response and made no entry.

On Aug. 1 Salisbury Township Animal Control received an email from Hodel asking that they take care of the dogs at the home at 715 E. Federal St. and the door was unlocked.

That same day at approximately 8:47 a.m., because of additional concerns raised by the email, Salisbury Township Police returned to the Federal Street home to check on the occupants’welfare. Officers found a note from Hodel and found Hoffman’s body in a bedroom. The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office determined Hoffman had been shot and her death was ruled a homicide.

Hodel was later found by police and taken into custody without incident. She was arraigned and committed to Lehigh County Jail.