'Remain vigilant,' 3 elderly people stabbed to death inside Newton home, no arrests
NEWTON - Newton Police are warning people in two neighborhoods in the city to be "vigilant" after three elderly people were found stabbed to death in a home over the weekend.
A person who knew the victims called 911 just after 10 a.m. Sunday to report that all three people were found dead in the house on Broadway Street. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said there was evidence of forced entry and the victims suffered stab wounds and blunt force trauma.
The three victims have not been identified yet. Ryan said two were a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. There have been no arrests.
"We are asking people to remain vigilant," Ryan said in a news conference Sunday evening. "Lock your doors and windows even if you do not normally do that."
There was an attempted break-in at a home on Brookside Avenue in Newton, about a half mile from the home on Broadway, early Sunday morning. It is not known if the two incidents are related.
Police are asking residents of the Nonantum and Newtonville neighborhoods areas to check any video from their home and if they see anything unusual to call them.
Ryan also asked residents that if they hear or see something suspicious, to call police immediately. "Don't wait until the morning to report that to us," Ryan said.
There will be an increased police presence in the two neighborhoods until someone is caught.
"You never know what's going to happen to us," said one neighbor familiar with the family, who did not want to go on camera fearing for their safety. That neighbor told WBZ-TV the three victims are related.
"I knew the whole family. They're very close," the neighbor said.
According to the tight knit community, the victims were deeply connected to the local church and their absence at Sunday's mass worried neighbors.
"These were churchgoing people. The only reason they were found is because they weren't in church and somebody came to see if they were OK," neighbor Robin Dickey said.
A local priest provided comfort to the community Sunday while investigators worked to figure out what happened inside the home.
Newton Police Chief John Carmichael said extra officers and dispatchers have been brought in.
"I am very concerned with such a violent crime taking place and whereas this individual, individuals are still at large," Carmichael said. "We do really emphasize again be vigilant, pay attention to what is happening in the neighborhoods."