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Couple Leaving Murder Suspects' Home Apologize To Pasquale Family

By Jericka Duncan

CLAYTON, N.J. (CBS) - Eyewitness News spoke exclusively to a man coming out of the East Clayton Avenue home where two teens were charged with the murder of 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale.

When we asked the couple if they had anything to say, a man who didn't identify himself said, "I'm very sorry, other than that, we can't talk about anything else."

"People are angry and hurt and confused," said Alyssa Gibson who lives near the murder suspects."They don't understand why another child would do this to a child," she cried.

Gibson is one of several neighbors who've placed flowers, candles, and balloons near the growing memorial site for Autumn. This morning Autumn's mother took a moment to visit and to grieve. As she left she held on tight to a teddy bear. Another sad reminder that a community is mourning the loss of a child.

"Makes me sick to my stomach just to even think, what these kids did, it's just horrible," said John Scafidi.

Authorities say the teens lured Pasquale into 308 E. Clayton Avenue on Saturday afternoon.

Police say she was strangled. Her body was dumped in a blue recycling container. Police located the container behind the house next door to the suspects'.

Throughout the day Wednesday, neighbors stopped and stared at the home where the attack allegedly happened. One woman wiped tears from her eyes and sat in silence, weeping for the little girl everyone hoped would return home alive.

Both juvenile suspects are being held at a detention center.

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