UNION TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) — Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a horrific double murder-suicide in rural Berks County. Police say a man beat a woman and her boyfriend to death with a hammer before lighting himself on fire at a home in Union Township on Saturday.
PA State Police just revealed the three people found dead in their rural #BerksCounty home over the weekend is believed to be a double-murder suicide https://t.co/3GUpez7ieg @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/lcoodBHcKT
— Matt Petrillo (@MattPetrillo) November 25, 2019
Police say two dogs also had their throats slit and two cats were stomped to death.
A mother and father, both in their 60s, were bludgeoned by a hammer. The third victim has not yet been identified but police believe that person committed the crimes.
Two dogs also had their throats slit and two cats died after being stomped on, police say. https://t.co/DAuMqSkeMd
— Matt Petrillo (@MattPetrillo) November 25, 2019
The couple has been identified as 63-year-old Joanne Deluca and 60-year-old Ira Reed Jr. The third victim has not yet been identified, but neighbors say Deluca’s adult son, Adam, lived there.
Firefighters on Saturday afternoon raced to put out what state police say was actually a garage fire on Chestnut Street. That’s when the three victims and the animals were found dead.
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper David Beohm said Deluca and Reed were struck multiple times with a hammer in the living room of the home.
“One of our veteran investigators said it was the worst crime scenes he’s ever seen,” Beohm said.
Police say after beating the couple to death, the man set himself on fire in the garage.
The fire caused $20,000 to $30,000 in damage.
A team of restoration workers tried to clean up the bloody mess left behind in the home.
Berks County District Attorney John Adams says investigators are still untangling a web of clues damaged by the fire.
The family was from South Jersey and moved to Berks County after losing their home to Superstorm Sandy. Investigators don’t have a record of trouble at the home.
“I can tell you we’re not aware with any history with this family,” Adams said.
Neighbors were in disbelief and called the couple friendly.
“She used to decorate really nice for Christmas,” one neighbor said. “I guess we won’t see that no more.”
No motive has been given yet for the double murder-suicide.
Police continue to investigate.
CBS3’s Matt Petrillo contributed to this report.
