Three people were found stabbed and beaten to death inside a Newton, Massachusetts home Sunday morning. Two of the victims, a married couple, were in their 70s, while the third victim, the wife’s mother, was in her 90s.
Their bodies were discovered after the couple did not show up to their 50th wedding anniversary celebration.
“Their 50th anniversary was to be celebrated in a blessing after communion at the 10 a.m. Mass. When they didn’t show up – I can’t go into the details about who discovered them – but we became notified, and myself and a number of the staff spent the day there,” the Rev. Dan Riley of Our Lady Help of Christians told WCVB.
During a press conference, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan revealed a friend of the family left the church once the couple, identified as Gilda D’Amore, 73, and Bruno D’Amore, 74, didn’t show up.
They arrived at the D’Amores’ house around 10:15 a.m. and made the grisly discovery.
“There were obvious signs of struggle in one of the bedrooms of the home, including broken furniture and a crystal paperweight covered in blood. We also found in the kitchen a knife with red, brown stains,” Ryan said.
During the investigation police found evidence of forced entry along with bloody, bare footprints in the hallway. While reviewing neighbors’ surveillance footage they saw images of the suspect, Christopher Ferguson, 41, near the D’Amores’ home Sunday morning.
He was not wearing a shirt or shoes.
Another break-in happened near the D’Amores’ house that same morning, but officials are unsure if the two incidents are related.
A special mass honoring the elderly victims was held Tuesday evening.
Ferguson was arrested Monday and charged with murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and burglary. He is expected to face additional charges once the remaining autopsies are completed.
My heart breaks for this family. They were supposed to be celebrating a wonderful occasion, but instead they must now bury their loved ones.
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