The lesbian couple found murdered with their throats slashed alongside their two children in upstate New York have been identified.
Shanta Myers, 36, and her 22-year-old girlfriend Brandi Mells were found dead inside an apartment in Troy on Tuesday.
The bodies of Myers’ two children – five-year-old Shanise Myers and 11-year-old Jeremiah Myers – were also discovered inside the home.
Shanta Myers, 36, and her 22-year-old girlfriend Brandi Mells were found dead inside an apartment in Troy in upstate New York on Tuesday
The bodies of Myers’ two children – five-year-old Shanise Myers and 11-year-old Jeremiah Myers were also discovered inside the home
Troy Police identified the victims on Thursday but are still not releasing details of their grisly murders.
Police Chief James Tedesco described the murders as an act of ‘savagery.’
‘After being in this business for almost 42 years, I can’t describe the savagery of this. I don’t have the word,’ he said.
Tedesco said there was evidence it was not a random act.
‘We are certainly appealing to people in the community that would have any knowledge as to what may have transpired there to contact us as soon as possible.’
The family – identified as two young siblings, their mother and the woman’s lesbian partner – were found bound and with their throats slashed inside an apartment in Troy on Tuesday
Troy Police Chief James Tedesco told the paper the murders were an act of ‘savagery’
The family were found dead inside the basement apartment in the Lansingburgh section of Troy at about 12.50pm on Tuesday – but police haven’t given clear details as to how they were killed, or why.
Pastor Jackie Robinson Sr, of Oak Grove Baptist Church, said that an older son related to the two children wasn’t home when the killings occurred. He is thought to be the last surviving member of the family.
Troy Police sources said the family, identified as two young siblings, their mother and the woman’s lesbian partner, appear to have been targeted for an unknown reason
‘Until they catch whoever they did this, there are certainly reasons to be fearful,’ the pastor told the Times Union.
‘We don’t know who did it. Until we find out, it certainly makes sense to be vigilant and keep your doors locked.’
He also said that members of the clergy are speaking to children at the local Boys and Girls Club, describing them as ‘traumatized.’
‘A few had nightmares since this happened. A lot of grown folk are traumatized because this monster is still out there,’ he said.
They had fielded a call after a property manager found the unresponsive people in the building early Tuesday afternoon after being asked to check on the welfare of the residents.
Autopsies completed on Wednesday afternoon are expected to clarify the timeline of attacks and exactly how the victims were killed.
The bodies were discovered by a property manager in a basement apartment on Tuesday after being asked to check on the welfare of the family
Troy police say the deaths are being treated as suspicious and the incident is being investigated as a quadruple homicide
Police have said they still don’t have a suspect for the murders, and don’t want to release a potential motive in the fears of hurting their investigation.
‘The emotions of a police officer is something you repress because there is a job to be done,’ Tedesco said.
‘But no one involved in this case is ever going to forget it. Right now our job is to bring this person to justice.’
Based on evidence uncovered in the course of the investigation, police do not believe there is imminent danger to the community.
So far, no arrests have been made.
Troy Police Captain Daniel DeWolf said earlier that the deaths were ‘certainly suspicious.’
The unit where the bodies were found is one of five in a home located in a residential neighborhood along the Hudson River’s east bank, just north of Albany.
While police have been tight-lipped about the victims, several Facebook users identifying themselves as relatives of the deceased have been posting messages and photos, and sharing links to news articles about the killings in Troy.