Two men and a woman 'strangled a friend while he was dying of an overdose then dressed him up to look as if he was still alive'

Joshua Rose died after taking an overdose in Pennsylvania
His three friends allegedly strangled him instead of providing aid
They dressed up Rose's corpse to make him appear to be alive
They have been arrested on charges relating to his death

Published: 09:37 GMT, 31 August 2016 | Updated: 16:52 GMT, 31 August 2016

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21-year-old Joshua Rose, pictured, died of a drugs overdose

Two men and a woman have been arrested after being accused of strangling their friend who he was dying of an overdose - and putting a hat and sunglasses on him to make it appear that he was still alive.

Preston Layfield, 19, Tyler Mirabelli, 22, and Amanda Wayda, 20, - all from Shickshinny, Pennsylvania - have been charged over the death of 21-year-old Joshua Rose.

State police allege that Rose apparently suffered an overdose Thursday at a home in Scranton, and the three drove him on Interstate 81 to Susquehanna County, passing at least one hospital on the way rather than seeking medical aid.

'Bottom line, they drove right past a hospital and continued north on I-81. At this time, we are not sure why they did that,' Cpl. Mark Prushinski said.

Police allege that a plastic bag was placed over the victim's head along the way and he was strangled with a pair of jumper cables, then dumped over an embankment in the Hop Bottom area, where his body was later found near railroad tracks.

Before a stop for gasoline after the alleged strangulation, one member of the group put sunglasses and a hat on the victim, authorities alleged.

Authorities said the charges might change depending on the outcome of an autopsy scheduled today by the Susquehanna County coroner's office.

Preston Layfield, 19, Tyler Mirabelli, 22, and Amanda Wayda, 20, have been charged with counts relating to his death

Tyler Mirabelli, pictured, is accused of strangling the victim with jumper cables

Preston Layfield, pictured, has also been accused of charges relating to Rose's death

All three defendants are scheduled for preliminary hearings on September 7.

Asked by a district judge during arraignment whether they had drug or alcohol problems, Mirabelli said he did and it was untreated, but Layfield denied such a problem.