Texas police investigate murder of food blogger
PLANO, Texas --Police believe a man stabbed and killed his mother and teen brother to death, before killing himself just after midnight on April 8,reports CBS DFW.
Stacey Fawcett, a CBS Radio food blog contributor and her son Josiah Utu, 17, were found dead by police at the Fawcett's home. Her other son, McCann Utu, 19, was found having suffered what police say were self-inflicted stab wounds. McCann Utu died soon after at a hospital.
Officials believe McCann Utu stabbed and killed Fawcett, 45, and Josiah Utu.
Officials at CBS Radio station KVIL issued a statement that said, in part:
"Our hearts are heavy with the passing of our dear friend, Stacy Fawcett. You know her as our awesome foodie blogger, but she was so much more than that.We will miss her kind, gentle spirit and her loving personality. But even as we mourn her loss, we want to celebrate her wonderful gift for - and love of - food."
McCann Utu's had suffered a traumatic brain injury from a concussion he got while playing basketball several years ago, according to his uncle, Justin Fawcett. McCann was unable to go to school and had to visit doctors "regularly," Justin Fawcett said.
The uncle said he had become concerned about McCann Utu, because the teen had been acting peculiar lately.
"(It) was like a switch flipped on him," Justin Fawcett said.
Hundreds of students gathered on April 11 to mourn on the campus of Plano West Senior High School. Josiah Utu was a junior there this year. McCann Utu had also been a student there.
Many describe the brothers, both popular athletes at the school, as beloved young men. But some who knew them well say that in hindsight, warning signs were there.
Friends a close friend of McCann Utu died recently, prompting him on Wednesday to tweet, "I prob will be the next to die..."
Alex Bauer, who was a friend of McCann Utu's, said he wishes he could have done more to help the troubled man.
"I think there's a lot of stuff going on that no one has any idea about, and when you don't share the thoughts that are in your own head, you get some demons that can come out when you don't them to," Bauer said.
The boy's father, McCann Utu, Sr. said in a statement released to media on April 11 that he was "shocked and devastated and obviously still trying to process what has happened."
"My sons were my life and Stacy and I were very proud of the young men they were becoming,"said McCann Utu, Sr.