5 relatives found dead in suspected killing spree; mother, daughter arrested
5 relatives found dead in suspected killing spree; mother, daughter arrested originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A mother and daughter were arrested on Monday for allegedly killing five family members in their Pennsylvania apartment, who the mother claims all "wanted to die," authorities said.
Shana
Decree, 45, and her 19-year-old daughter, Dominique Decree, allegedly
carried out a killing spree in their two-bedroom apartment in
Morrisville, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles northeast of Philadelphia.
Police
discovered the apartment in disarray with the gruesome scene during a
wellness check Monday afternoon around 4 p.m. local time.
The
victims were identified as Shana Decree's children -- Naa'Irah Smith,
25, and Damon Decree Jr., 13 -- as well as her sister -- Jamilla
Campbell, 42 -- and Campbell's 9-year-old twin daughters, Imani and
Erika Allen.
PHOTO: Shana Decree is seen in this booking photo, Feb. 26, 2019. (Bucks County District Attorney’s office)
Campbell's
17-year-old son, Joshua Campbell, whose whereabouts were unknown Monday
evening, has been located and is safe, according to the Bucks County
District Attorney's Office. He was not at the apartment at the time of
the murders, Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub told
reporters Tuesday
There are no other suspects, Weintraub said.
"I just feel very confident that we have the two killers locked up that committed these atrocious, atrocious murders," he added.
PHOTO: Crime scene tape surrounds the Robert Morris Apartments in Morrisville, Pa., Feb. 26, 2019. (Matt Rourke/AP)
Eight people, including both of the suspects, were residing in the small apartment, Weintraub said.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive nor the causes of death. The case is still under investigation.
"We're working on some theories, but it wouldn't be fair for me to speculate … so I'm not going to," Weintraub said.
PHOTO: Dominique Decree is seen in this booking photo, Feb. 26, 2019. (Bucks County District Attorney’s office)
During
questioning, Shana Decree told police that everyone at the apartment
"wanted to die," according to the affidavit of probable cause.
Dominique
Decree, who had visible injuries to her neck, asked police if her
family was alive and "repeatedly advised her wish to die," according to
the affidavit.
"This
is a terrible tragedy. I just spoke with the family of the five
deceased, and we're all heartbroken," Weintraub said at a press
conference late Monday. "I wish I had better news to report."
PHOTO: Investigators carry out items from the Robert Morris Apartments in Morrisville, Pa., Feb. 26, 2019. (Matt Rourke/AP)
Shana
Decree was arraigned early Tuesday morning and is being held without
bail. Her daughter was expected to be arraigned later in the day.
They
each face five counts of criminal homicide and one count of conspiracy
to commit criminal homicide, according to the Bucks County District
Attorney's Office.
"I
wanted to come out here," he added, "and make sure that everybody knew
that the people that committed these atrocious acts are now in custody
and will be made to pay for their crimes."
It's unclear if either suspect has retained an attorney.
ABC News' Darren Reynolds contributed to this report.
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