Deaths of Delco couple found inside home ruled double homicide
CHESTER HEIGHTS, Pa. (CBS) -- The deaths of a couple found inside their Chester Heights home were ruled Thursday as a double homicide. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the deaths of 72-year-old Richard Zajko and 69-year-old Rita Zajko.
State police said the couple was found dead Monday inside their home on Highland Drive.
The Delaware County Medical Examiner on Thursday ruled their deaths as a homicide.
According to state police, troopers were called to the home Monday for a welfare check, where the Zajkos were both found inside.
Neighbors tell CBS Philadelphia they cannot believe what happened on their quiet block.
"Everyone is super nice and friendly here," neighbor Dan Steinhaus said. "We moved here not too long ago. It was an area that we felt really safe for our daughter and a great school district and crime was low so to hear that this happened is definitely a surprise."
Steinhaus says he is new to the neighborhood and didn't know the Zajkos.
"I think they have been here for a very long time. Just walks with the family, he was outside cutting his grass or cleaning the leaves," Steinhaus said. "They always have impeccable Christmas lights every single year and they would just waive and give a smile and that was about our only interaction."
As police try to figure out what happened inside, neighbors are waiting for answers too.
"I am sure everyone, including myself, would love to get more information to see exactly what is going on," Steinhaus said, "but it's definitely unsettling."
State police have yet to release information about how exactly they were killed.
If you have any information about their deaths, you're asked to call the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop K, Media at 484-840-1000 or anonymously contact the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or online.