Man Facing Charges In Deaths Of Woman, Child In Egg Harbor City
By Diana Rocco
EGG HARBOR CITY, N.J., (CBS) -- A man has been charged with murder and arson in connection with the deaths of a woman and child in Egg Harbor City, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday.
Joseph Palmer is being held at the Atlantic County justice facility charged with killing a mom and her young son on the same night a community gathers to remember their lives.
"He was an amazing little boy with a huge heart," Gavin's father John Pabst said.
Gavin Pabst's father struggles for words as he talks about his little boy.
With hugs and tears a community mourns the deaths of seven-year-old Gavin and his mom Michelle. Police say they were murdered at the hands of Michelle's boyfriend.
"We wanted everybody to come out today to celebrate life because if anybody knew Michelle, Michelle loved life," Michelle's mother said.
Hundreds lit candles to remember the young mother and her son found burned inside their Washington Street home Wednesday after firefighters put out the flames.
Thirty-eight-year-old Joseph Palmer lived with them and was found injured outside.
Originally telling investigators there was an intruder, but police now say Palmer stabbed Michelle and Gavin to death, then set the fire.
"I can't believe this could happen in our little town and to people who were so kind and loving," church member Alice Camp said.
Many at the vigil left notes to Michelle and Gavin, a second grader at Sprague Elementary, family members wearing red because it was Gavin's favorite color.
"I can remember Gavin when he was about two-years-old. He would sit in the church pew and when the choir would start to sing he would take out a hymnal and try singing with us. He was a precious, precious little boy," Camp said.
Palmer was arrested upon leaving the hospital Friday afternoon. He's being held on $2 million bail.
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