Taking Care of Business?

Family homicide has claimed four more victims. Forget for a moment that 2 adults and 2 children's bodies were discovered in an "upscale gated community" in San Clemente, California, just hours ago.
Murder within the home is not a crime associated by the amount of zero's on a bank statement or whether its' victim live on Park Avenue or the lowest rent district in a community. We live in a country where murdering your wife, husband and kids and committing suicide is so common we barely blink an eye when we read or hear about such horrific crimes with our morning cup of coffee. And we can expect this epidemic to wipe out more lives before the New Year as husbands and yes, wives carry out their own personal form of justice and revenge.

The reason for the murders will vary depending on the each person's frame of mind. Some will have a relationship outside the home and feel that killing their spouse is the only way out, allowing them to be free of financial burdens, wiping the slate clean so they can begin anew. And those similar to the person in California who was so angry over the ending of the "family unit" they kill everyone and then turn the gun on themselves.
Just yesterday, Jason Young, after 3 years, was finally indicted in North Carolina for the murder of wife Michelle Young, who was pregnant at the time. Young, like so many who are finally charged, do not take their own life as they believe they will never "get caught."
[Michelle Young]

Over Thanksgiving after the couple had separated, Karen Kahler of Kansas moved she and her children out of the marital home to begin their lives without violence. But, her husband Kraig Kahler, like so many abusers wasn't having any of it, "who does she think she is, no one leaves me." On November 28th, 2009, Karen Kahler and her daughters Emily, Lauren and her grandmother were shot to death by her estranged husband while they were visiting a relative. the Thanksgiving holiday. He was arrested several hours later and has been charged with capital murder.

Another case unsolved to date is the murder of Michigan Mother of 3, Renee Pagel , found stabbed to death in her bed recovering from surgery, (after donating a kidney to a complete stranger) just days away from her divorce being finalized. According to close friends and relatives the grade school teacher and a registered nurse told others she was in "fear for her life." A week before her murder she changed the beneficiary of her life insurance policy from her estranged husband to a close family friend.

Her estranged husband, Michael Pagel, is the only person who has not voluntarily cooperated with police, nor has he provided an alibi to police for the night of Renee's murder. He retains custody of the couple's children.

Susan Powell mysteriously vanished last week leaving her purse and keys inside the home where she was last seen alive by her husband, Josh, at 12:30 in the morning. He suddenly decided to take his 2 small children on a camping trip. He is a person of interest and has now lawyered up as he faces questioning in her disappearance.

Other cases where wives have gone missing without explanation , Lisa Stebic disappeared in 2007, her husband Craig and she were in divorce court, has not been charged but is a person of interest. Former police officer Drew Peterson arrested for the murder of wife #3 Kathleen Savio, has yet to be charged with the homicide of Stacy Peterson, wife #4 whose body has not been found since she disappeared in October of 2007. Renee Pernice of Kansas vanished( divorce pending) in January of 2009 and her fire fighter husband Shon Pernice remains of person of interest.

The address are all different, the outcome is almost identical. Not one of these women would ever leave without their children. And they were each good women who did not deserve to be erased from life.

In a note written by my father after my mother was murdered, before his committing suicide, sums it up:

"This is business only, no one leaves me and gets away with it."

D-Day

The control over where she went, what she did to how long she stayed out to run a quick errand was manageable for Karen Kahler no different from others whom love their husbands and work hard to make the marriage work. After the birth of their daughters Lauren and Emily the violence increased and her husband Kraig Kahler’s jealously over his wife’s daily routine was a nightly interrogation. And if he did not believe Karen, she paid the ultimate price and was beaten. A third child was born, Sean, a boy and Karen prayed her abusive husband would shift the good part of him, the man she fell in love with and be involved with her son.

Kraig Kahler's yearly salary was $150,000 as the former director of the Water & Light Department in Columbia, Mo., where he faced other charges. But, when city officials learned he was also terrorizing his wife and family it lead to his dismissal. Online court records show Kahler was scheduled for trial in Columbia this past Wednesday on a domestic assault charge that stemmed from an altercation with Karen in March of 2009.

Karen like so many women who are abused filed for divorce rented a house and she and her 3 children began their journey of freedom. Karen wanted her children to maintain a healthy relationship with their father, but, as many violent abusers do, they dismiss the female children and shower all their attention on the male child as in this case.

(Lauren, Emily and Karen)

After the family moved Kraig Kahler became more obsessed. Although he was never “caught in the act” he stalked her, slashed her tires, became obsessed with her on-line computer activities, but was never arrested. Even though she obtained a restraining order it would be no match against the rapid fire power of a weapon.

Karen Kahler and her daughters Emily and Lauren were shot to death by Karen's estranged husband while they were visiting her grandmother, Dorothy, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Dorothy was also shot and and died a few days later. Sean, Karen's 10 year old son, escaped from the house, called for help and was not harmed.

That evening 3 generations were erased within moments by a man that with his entire being believed he owned the ultimate power of when Karen, Emily, Lauren and Dorothy would take their last breath.

Twelve hours later Kraig Kahler was arrested and is being held on $10 million dollars bond. In the months to follow people will point blame or perhaps say he was severely depressed or he was not in his right mind at the time of the execution of his family. The fact is he was in his correct frame of mind all along. He is not insane and his motive was clear. The years of agony and expense this will cost the State of Kansas with motions, hearings, continuances trials, appeals, is not worth the life of this serial killer.

I say throw him on an island in some remote area of the world without access to another human sole. Afterall, he thought nothing of their lives!

Part 2 tomorrow

"Cowardly Killer's Club"

This past Monday on the associated press wires from columbus township, Michigan beings like this:" If Phillip Parsons was having financial or other troubles, he didn't let on to his friend, Russ Whittaker, as they cut trees or talked about high school sports.

"Great people. Great people," according to a neighbor who knew the now slain family, while shaking his head in disbelief.." Then the article goes on to say "People can say whay they want he was good with the kids"

Please, somebody send me a case of vomit bags! That is what I feel like doing each time I read that a parent, spouse or estranged human being from a relationship that has ended or when a marriage is on the rocks. The story is about a tragedy of yet another family slaughtered. And an abuser's last act of control is to kill what they believe they own. Similar to owning a car, house or weapons.

Such a fantastic all around guy that he shots his wife Gina Parsons, 34, was shot multiple times and found in the couple's bed. Parson's son, Sean, and his wife's son, Andrew Davis, were each shot once and found in their bedrooms. The boys, both 14-year-old high school freshmen. And the wonderful husband and father then killed himself.

Then hours earlier not far from where Gina, Andrew and Sean were disovered in another town over, in the upscale Lakes of Milford subdivision in northwest Oakland County,Michigan police found the bodies of Joseph Peter Valentino II, 61 who killed himslef after murdering his wife, Lucille Champoux Valentino, 60.

When I read a sheriff's comment on both cases, I did not agree with his remarks:
"It would appear that, with the tough economic times, people are desperate and resorting to things such as this," said Macomb County Sheriff Mark A. Hackel. "It's an act of desperation."

In my opinion it is a premeditated act of cold, cowardly power and control. Tragedies can be spun in all different directions. But, the fact remains these cowardly killers had a choice to walk away regardless of what ever they may have been facing in their lives. Or they could have simply taken their own life. It is when they kill the wives and innocent children that defines them as the cowards they were while masquerading as "good loving individuals" on earth.

Sheriff's "Regret" is a Disturbing Trend

Today the murder trial in Florida continued for Juan Mendez who is accused of killing his estranged wife Whitney Mendez and mother in-law Lorena Stone in 2006.

Just when I thought the trial could go either way, that perhaps the prosecutor had a chance to win the case, it all changed when sheriff's Sgt. Walter Ryan was on the stand. During his testimony he told the jurors he "regretted not doing more work as the lead detective investigating the homicides of Whitney Mendez and her mother, Lorena Stone."

Assistant State Attorney Cynthia Ross asked Sheriff Ryan if he investigated the case as fully as he should have. "Looking back now," Ryan said, "regrettably, no." Ryan testified he didn't collect house phone records because he was told by the phone company that only billable calls - collect or long distance - are stored. But Ryan also said he didn't collect call records of cell phones found in the house. "I never got the cell phone records," Ryan testified. "I wish I had."

It is painfully obvious that many are to blame for a sloppy homicide investigation. From recovery of cell phone records, witness interviews, court document files, text message records to domestic violence calls to the home. The police are rarely, if at all properly trained in domestic violence homicide investigations and that was made very clear today, during the trial. Also, the prosecutor basically allowed the case to go cold for nearly a year before an investigation could be re-ignited.

For a successful prosecution in any domestic violence homicide case, expertise and knowledge are crucial for those standing in the aftermath of a bloody battlefield.

Perhaps when the trial concludes the prosecutor will invite me down for an intense day of training so that in the future their jobs will be easier and justice can actually be served!

I am not in any way trying to be sarcastic or disrespectful to anyone fighting for justice. With 20 years of experience in all types of homicide as it relates to family violence and stalking why not turn to someone that can make or break a case. Granted, I would not know where to begin when it comes to sex crime cases involving children, but, I do have the ability to teach others succesfully, by enhancing their skills in this area.

If you are interested, the trial is being broadcast live on court tv and also via twitter here's the link: http://twitter.com/newspresscourts

Rap Sheet As Long As Toilet Paper Strikes Again!

In 1994 3-year-old Devin Brewer of Oakland, California was beaten to death by Curtis Martin III. The child he murdered with his fists was the child his then-girlfriend.

This low-life piece of garbage was allowed to plead the murder of the 3-year old down to voluntary manslaughter and was only sentenced to 11 years in prison. He also has a rap sheet about as long as a roll of toilet paper from robbery, burgalry to weapons charges. Did someone miss the 3 strikes and you are out prison rule? Clearly this dangerous repeat felon was going to strike again. Over the weekend his was arrested.

This past weekend his current girlfield Zoelina Williams was found fatally beaten and her body discovered with a bullet in her head. On Sunday police disovered what looked like her 17-month old child Jashon's body found floating near by dead in the water.

What do I have to say to get people to understand that once someone is an offender, they will do it again. No amount of rehabilitation on this planet will change an individuals violent, controlling and deadly actions.

Believeing that a person with whom you are romatically involved or married too, if they are abusive or have served prison time, you need to get your head out of the clouds and realize you will wind up seriously injured or killed yourself if you do not get the hell out of that toxic and dangerous relationship.

Predicting the behavior of another person is very difficult, especially if the person has promised not to become abusive again. Often it is our hope that things will get better that makes the assessment of risk even more difficult. There are several factors in assessing dangerousness.

These factors suggest a greater risk of continued and/or severe violence. If you can see any of these in your abuser, seriously consider and understand that the abuse will not go away, that it may very well get worst, and that you will never be able to control the situation well enough to ensure your own protection. If you see the first risk factor AND any of the others, then you should know the risk's that you can be severely injured or killed increases greatly.

Does your partner has a prior history of domestic violence (that is, partner has been violent with you previously, or has been violent in other relationships this includes family members)

Partner is extremely possessive and jealous :

The person has “possessive beliefs” – that is, strong feelings of ownership about their victim – the risk of fatality doubles. An “insanely jealous” partner may be extremely dangerous – especially if he/she comes to believe that you are not “faithful” or that you are intending to leave.

Partner threatens to kill you or others in your life if you ever leave the relationship:
This is the third most powerful predictor of fatality. While not everyone who threatens to kill their partners follows through with the threat, most of those who do kill have threatened to do so. Take any and all threats seriously. This is not a game. I do not care if the person said it while they were drunk or high-it still counts as a serious threat.

Partner believes you his wife or girlfriend has betrayed him (or her).If the person abusing you views you as having rejected him or her in preference for another partner or for independence, you are at greater risk.

Partner knows you are attempting to leave.If you are in the process of leaving be very careful. The risk of leaving without a concrete safety plan in place increases your chances of remaining alive.This factor represents the dangerousness inherent among some individuals who have a longstanding pattern of criminal behavior. Watch out for partners who have a history of criminal charges against people (like battery, assault).

Be extremely careful when partners appear to have no conscience and no remorse for causing pain to others.If any of these factors are present, there is an increased risk of violence:· Social services has become involved in your family. Your partner believes that you have more status or power than he/she does.

Your partner has lost a job. The legal system is involved in your partner’s life.

You are pregnant or there has been a recent birth of a child.

Your partner has access to weapons.

You are preparing to leave.

Your children are about to be removed.

Your partner is actively seeking information regarding your location.What does this all mean? It means that all violent partners do not come in some neat package with a warning label attached to their shirt collar. It means that hunk of a man with deep gazing green eyes who makes your knees weak can be a dangerous partner in a relationship and breaking from that spell of lust/love is a difficult undertaking. Given that we can often under-estimate the level of danger to ourselves, it is time you take seriously the personal safety for you and your children. Go to the library and pick up a copy of Defending Our Lives or Moving Out Moving On and begin formulating a plan.

At the library find out if there are tapes on self defense that you can watch in a private room in the library.

Doing nothing will get you killed, and then Time's Up!

Tracking Those In The Name of Justice

Intimate Domestic Violence Homicides is an Internet site providing a national compilation of daily news articles about family violence murder and suicides. "Most mornings I wonder when society is going to realize intimate violence makes victims of us all."

This important site is the brain child of Cathy Church whom is also the Executive Director of Access Justice NOW. The site also includes a google map chart indicting each tragedy. The site is important in bringing awareness to the plight of victims after a tragedy. And sadly, it is an important tracking information site of the men whom not only kill their spouse or girlfriend, but the children.

The site also advocates assistance for those who have been victims killed.

Do Not Let a Victim Die in Vain
If you have a family member, friend or loved one who has been killed because of intimate or domestic violence, do not let their death be in vain.
Access Justice Now, a non-profit dedicated to seeking justice on behalf of intimate and domestic violence victims, may be able to help.

Go to http://www.accessjusticenow.org/ and fill out the Legal Assistance form at the bottom of the home page if you feel the death of your friend or loved one could have been avoided had authorities taken steps to enforce the law.
Everyone Deserves Justice, Everyone!

Court Ordered Execution

When a woman or man is a victim of violence in their home and they break the cycle by gaining the courage to leave the very legal system in place to protect seemingly does the most damage. Communication and training appears non-existant in courtrooms leaving tragedies of epidemic proportions as family members are left to discover gruesome crimes scenes followed by making funeral arrangements for innocent loved ones.

Who are the judges presiding in large and small court houses across the county? Are these men and women drapped in their black robes passing time until they retire and can collect a pension? Is any presiding judge on a bench in family or domestic relations court qualified to really make sound legal decsions? In my opinion the answer is no!

Amy Lichtenberg did everything in her power to keep she and her children safe. But the judge presiding over her case turned a deaf ear. Her dangerous and violent husband manipulated the legal system to gain access by wearing down the courthouse with the filing of one motion after another until a judge granted unsupervised visitation. Three weeks after the judge's decision Amy's children Jack and Duncan would be murdered by their father.

Annette Suzan Sowders-Fuller also continued within the legal system after she filed for divorce and obtain orders of protection in an attempt to keep her violent husband away from she and her two small children. Each time she entered a courtroom or called the police for help Annette's husbands violence escalated. It ended in August when he stormed into her home killing Annette and her mother Cheryl in front of her children.

Dawn Axsom and her attorney pleaded with a judge to allow her to leave Arizona with her two-year-old son.The judge denied the request. According to court testimony, Axsom’s estranged boyfriend, who had been arrested twice for DUI, was unemployed, and had made two failed suicide attempts was awarded by the judge who allowed visitation and requirined a drug, alcohol and a mental health evaluation to be completed within 60-days. Just 2 short weeks after that court ordered visiation the boyfriend murdered Dawn, her mother Linda and then committed suicide.

To say the courts do not take domestic violence seriously is an under statement. Without any consideration for prior arrests or current orders of protection judges are awarding individuals whom are a danger to their children visitation and custody. The abusers sole intent is to gain unlimited access to his victim. The abuser could care less about the children. Often an abuser is so enraged over the ending of the relationship the only interest they have is seeking revenge on their victim. Either by killing the person who ended the relationship or murdering the children keeping the victim alive and unharmed as a sick and twisted punishment for breaking up the family.

I have great respect for judges. What I do not respect is ignorance in a courtroom. These judges elected or appointed require more than a two week crash course in a classroom setting on "how to be a judge." Otherwise those court orders that they sign without consideration to human life will amount to nothing more than an a court ordered execution!

Tragedy In Tin Can Holler

Tragedy in Tin Can Holler" is a captivating important true story of a family's past transgressions revealing a family member who was a serial killer that got away with murder during the great depression, incest and child abuse, lies and betrayals and domestic violence buried for decades! The vicious murder of the author's mother haunted her for 48 years, but discovering the truth about her mother's murder was just the tip of the iceberg. Her story and the murder of her mother is spell-bounding as she unveils the hidden secrets that shocked the residents of three counties in southeast Tennessee.

It is about a subject caught up in a place and time where the issue of domestic violence has for far too long been swept with the broom in an epidemic that has plaged our nation since the begining of time. It wil move the reader to tears and applaud the author for a tear moving page turner.

About The Author: Rozetta Mowery is an activist and advocate against domestic violence and child abuse. She is a spokesperson for CASA and the Holston United Methodist Home for Children. She assists with fundraisers that support domestic violence shelters and programs. Visit her website for more information and check her schedule over at http://www.tincanholler.com/

It can be found here in this link at Amazon.com

In case you missed the rivting one hour interview on the Susan Murphy Milano show with Amy Leichtenberg turn up your computer volume and the show will play automatically on this site. If you are a mother without custody or in the midst of divorce this show is a must listen!

"Bloody Facts"

The recent appointment of Lynn Rosenthal as the "Czar" for domestic violence is rather disturbing to me as an advocate, author, violence expert and homicide survivor. What purpose does this newly created White
House post really serve regarding the lives of battered women and their children?

So far this position appears to be nothing more than Ms. Rosenthal talking phone calls from legal advocates and survivors that have enough cell phone minutes to vent their anger and frustration in a sixty minute phone conversation only to be informed that their one-on -one discussion will be relayed to Vice-President Biden, the champion of Senate hearings and funding through the years for services and programs across the country.

Perhaps Ms. Rosenthal could use her rather large monthly expense account to fly around to the survivors of murder victims and their families such as Suzan Annette Sowlers-Fuller a former resident of Bakersfield, California. I say former because she was murdered. Ms. Rosenthal could begin her field trip by going to the court house and reading the transcripts on the case. From there she could arrange to meet with the Prosecutor in the case and review those documents, including the order of protection and the ridiculous bond amounts set in this case. Afterwards, I suggest she personally visit the home where both Suzan Annette and her mother Sharon were murdered by Robert Fuller on August 8, 2009.

Finally, Lynn Rosenthal should meet with Suzan's two daughters, ages 8 and 5, perhaps at their favorite ice cream shop to delicately discuss firsthand accounts of their young lives through the day of the murders. When speaking to these children, who are unable to sit in a booth and have their feet touch the floor, she should look them each in their eyes and explain why the system failed their Mommy.

This is not easy to do from behind a White House desk (you have to leave it once in a while).  Lynn Rosenthal must head into the battlefield. I can certainly donate a video camera if their is no budget in the WhiteHouse to record testimony for these tragedies. There is nothing like the testimony of a child, who watched as the bullets hit their mother, then grandmother's bodies. Or copies of the actual crime scene photos and morgue reports, to boil ones blood into taking action.

Effective action is what I have been doing for over 20 years with results that save lives, perhaps Ms. Rosenthal could pass that on the next time she meets with Vice-President Biden. I apologize if I sound sarcastic, I am far too busy with those victims I am desperately trying to keep alive so I don't have to inform a family their loved one is dead or tell a child "mommy is in heaven," because the system ignored them.

Supervising Murder

[L]Jack age 7 [R] Duncan age 9

To read about the murders of Jack and Duncan Connolly by their father and the injustice within the family court system go Women In Crime, Ink.

Condolences and cards can be mailed to:

Amy Leichtenberg C/O The Johnson's

809 E Elm StreetLeroy

IL 61752

Family spokesperson Brandi Tuley is asking people to sign their name to an online petition that says Judge Souk should be held accountable for his contribution to the murders of Jack and Duncan Connolly by their father Michael Connolly.

You can view the petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/justiceforjackandduncan/index.html.

The Empty Place At The Family Table

Today, is Easter a time of us all to give praise to God and be grateful for the warmth, love and support of family and friends as they are the true life lines in each of our lives.

And, it is a day to stop for a moment and thank the men and women who, even though we do not know them personally, are away from their families fighting for our freedom and safety .

For those here, in America, who are experiencing their first Easter Holiday, with an empty place at the dinner table. It is a first, of many holidays to come.

They are the abducted children whose parents will no longer hunt for those bright colored eggs or search for that basket of goodies, almost always taller than the child. And the look of excitement as they see the cellophane basket with the large bow now , replaced with an empty horrific pain of loss and helplessness.

Or the mother's who have either been abruptly taken away from their children and loved ones, never to be heard or seen from again. While those who are considered "suspects" continue to walk free among us.

Or murdered by a family member or scorned lover who do not know the meaning or value of life and love.

We can point fingers and speculate until the cows come home as to whom did what to who, when, where and why. But that is not going to bring anyone back.

Instead, we must focus the anger on the precious gifts of life standing before us. The real victims, their children. And work towards dilligently finding those who are still missing with every ounce of strength and courage we can.

Then we can forge ahead on measures within our criminal justice system and the legislature, who are still striking the gavel in blood and turn it into victory so those in our lives and future generations actually, have a brighter and safer tomorrow.

Lawyer in Drew Peterson Divorce Case Speaks To Radio Host Roe Conn

Finally, someone had the bright idea to interview Harry Smith the Attorney who represented Kathleen Savio in her divorce. In a new twist, Stacy Peterson also contacted the very same lawyer just days before her "mysterious vanishing act" to inquire about a divorce. -------

Kathleen Savio's divorce attorney Harry Smith joins The Roe Conn ShowIn a WLS-AM 890 Exclusive, Kathleen Savio's divorce attorney Harry Smith joined the Roe Conn Show on March 6th to discuss his former client's relationship with Drew Peterson. Download part 1 of this exclusive interview in the Roe Conn Show On-Demand section

Download this show

Part 2 of the show:
Download this show


Order of Protection Speaks From the Grave:
http://murphymilanojournal.blogspot.com/2008/02/drew-peterson-order-of-protection.html

Drew Peterson: Lawyer Now Requires Large Shovel?
http://murphymilanojournal.blogspot.com/2008/02/drew-petersons-lawyer-now-requires.html

Stop Hittin Me

Very powerful and informative video. If you are a teenager, young adult, mother, sister, relative, co-worker or school mate and you are involved in a domestic violence, abusive relationship, please watch this video. Save it to your cell phone or fowarded to others. Recommend that others you feel would benefit from this insightful video-Watch it!

Video Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uxelkNOoM0&feature=related

Stop Hittin Me
04:17 From: Three21Media

Help is available. You do not have to live with the threat of violence in your life!
Call 1-800-799-SAFE

Family Murders: A Dangerous Epidemic

In a small town in Memphis, yet another slaughter of an entire family. As the American public read these tragedies with our morning coffee, do we ever stop and think, perhaps these killings and so many others exactly like them in recent months, are basically out of control ? Do we really care to know if any of these could have been prevented?

Is this what the American Family has become ? Are we left with being deathly afraid of our own flesh and blood?

We can watch these killings all day long like a drug as we become increasingly inundated with one tragic event after another । Or we can take our heads out from under the rock where we all have gone to hide. I have a suggestion, let us start to pay attention to our friends, relatives, co-workers and those we once knew as our neighbors by providing some old fashioned human interactive contact.
_____________________________
Six people, including two children, were found dead in a home Monday night in Memphis' Binghampton -----
Memphis Fire Department spokeswoman Melanie Young said firefighters responded to a 911 call at a home at 722 Lester at 6:11 p.m. Monday, where the bodies and wounded children were found.
The wounded children- a 7-year-old boy, a 10-month-old girl and a 4-year-old whose gender wasn't immediately known, were transported to Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center.
According to hospital spokeswoman Jennilyn Utkov, the children were taken to the emergency room to be treated. No further information was available about their conditions.
Sources told Action News 5 the four adults found dead suffered from gunshot wounds, while two children were found stabbed to death. The three children found alive were also stabbed. All nine victims were found in the same room.
Neighbors identified the person living at the home as Cecil Dotson. Dotson's sister Nicole was frightened for her family members.
"You know when you come to stuff like this you think the worst," she said. "You think someone is dead. I am scared to death, all my nieces and nephews are in there and his baby mama and I don't know what's going on."
Though the bodies were discovered Monday night, it was unclear exactly when the murders took place. Neighbors in the area reported hearing a disturbance at the home over the weekend, including the sound of gunshots around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
As news of the grisly find spread though the neighborhood, residents gathered in spite of the rainy weather to watch from afar as police conducted their investigation.
Homicide detectives could be seen speaking with relatives sitting in a car near the house where the killings happened.
"It's sad you come home to find out something like this has gone on," neighbor Leo Baker said. "I've been living here for 10 years. It's kind of sad, and scary too."
Baker said he didn't know the family living in the house.