Malvern Murder: Arrested Man was a Friend

The murder of 21-year-old Malvern resident Drew Ferguson is believed to have taken place on Friday, November 15, according to information to information from the authorities.

Documents from the incident tells the story of 24-year-old Merritt Dudas, the Collegeville man that police believe shot Ferguson in the head and attempted to hide his body in the garage of his Malvern home.

According to the criminal complaint, Dudas allegedly shot Ferguson with a gun he had taken from his girlfriend’s father. He then reportedly rolled Ferguson in a sleeping bag and tarp and stashed his body under a beanbag couch in the detached garage of his home on Miner Street.

Police found Ferguson's body on Monday after a family member called police on Monday to report that he had been missing through the weekend of Nov 16.

Investigators found Ferguson’s car parked outside of Dudas’ girlfriend’s house in Collegeville where he was staying and, after exercising a search warrant, found Ferguson’s cell phone, keys and wallet, as well as spent rounds from a .380-caliber handgun.

Investigators reportedly arrested Dudas, who later confessed to shooting and killing Ferguson, hiding his body and taking his car and personal items. He also, according to documents, said that his girlfriend was not involved in the incident.

The criminal complaint states that Dudas and Ferguson were friends who not only lived next door to each other on Miner Street, but at one time shared the same home. Ferguson reportedly worked in Reading, PA and lived with his grandmother in Malvern.

Dudas is scheduled appear before the court in Chester County on Nov 27.