Triple homicide at Broadway home in Nonantum – signs of forced entry [updated]

Three people were found dead of stab wounds and blunt trauma this morning at a home on Broadway in the Nonantum village of Newton. There were signs of forced entry to the home. The assailant(s) remain at large, and police ask residents to be vigilant and report unusual activity immediately.

9:30 PM Update

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton Police Chief John Carmichael held a 17-minute press conference at the Newton Police Department at 9:30 PM.

Key New Information:

Stab wounds and blunt force trauma killed the three victims. The elderly victims have not yet been positively identified, and names are not being released. The time of the attack is not known at this time.
There were signs of forced entry to the home. In a potentially related incident, there was a forced entry to a home on Brookside Avenue that the residents of that home heard at 5:45 AM. That home is about a half mile from this crime scene on Broadway. It is not known if the incidents are connected.
The assailant(s) is/are still at large. DA Ryan strongly encouraged residents to lock their doors and windows and alert Newton Police of unusual activity immediately. The police told residents to expect increased patrols in the Newtonville/Nonantum area as this is a very active investigation.
The victims were discovered by someone known to them when they did not arrive at church services.
The DA asked residents to check for any doorbell video they might have and look for unusual activity and contact the police department.

Video of Press Conference:

Updated District Attorney Press Release:

UPDATE – Active Investigation Underway in Newton

Investigators Reminding the Public to Remain Vigilant, Report Suspicious Activity

NEWTON – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton Chief of Police John Carmichael have confirmed that the investigation into an apparent triple homicide remains active and ongoing at this time on Broadway Street and the Nonantum and Newtonville neighborhoods of Newton.Today at 10:14 a.m. a person known to the victims called 911 to report that three people believed to be the elderly residents of the home were found dead inside from apparent stab wounds and blunt trauma. The preliminary investigation suggests that there were signs of forced entry into the home.Investigators from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Newton Police have been actively investigating and following leads throughout the day including investigating another attempted break-in at Brookside Avenue, about a half mile from the location of the death investigation that was reported to police this morning.At this time it is not known if the two incidents are connected. We are again asking people to remain vigilant, check door and window locks and report any suspicious activity to Newton Police at 617-796-2123. In an emergency call 911.Additionally, we are asking residents of the Nonantum and Newtonville areas to check any video from their home and notify police of anything unusual the cameras may have captured.The area of Broadway Street between Churchill and Linwood Avenue remains closed at this time and will be closed for the next several hours as police continue to actively process the scene. No arrests have been made.Tonight, residents can expect to continue to see an increased police presence. Newton Police will have additional patrols working throughout the evening and into tomorrow.The victims have not been positively identified at this time and the names are not being released.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan

At 4:30 PM, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller put out the following press release from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton Police Chief John Carmichael:

Active Investigation Underway in Newton

NEWTON – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton Chief of Police John Carmichael have confirmed an ongoing investigation in the Nonantum neighborhood of Newton. At approximately 10:14 a.m. today Newton Police responded to a Broadway Street residence after three elderly persons were found dead inside the home from an apparent homicide. At this time police are actively searching for the person or persons responsible. This is a very active and ongoing investigation. The area of Broadway Street between Churchill and Linwood Avenue remains closed at this time and people are asked to avoid the area.

Residents of the Nonantum area should expect to see an increased police presence. As always, residents are asked to remain vigilant, check door and window locks and report any suspicious activity to Newton Police at 617-796-2123. In an emergency call 911.
Press Release from District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton Police Chief John Carmichael
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This Sunday morning, an elderly couple living on Broadway in Nonantum was due to renew their wedding vows at the 10 o’clock Mass at Our Lady Help of Christians Church. When the couple failed to appear at the church, a family member checked on their home and was shocked to discover that the married couple and the wife’s mother living with them were all dead — apparent homicide victims.

At that point, a neighbor, who requested anonymity, heard screams from the house and at first thought the screams were coming from children in the neighborhood, but quickly realized that something was very wrong in their quiet, friendly neighborhood. When police and firefighters began to arrive, the neighbor thought it may have been some sort of accident, but with the arrival of District Attorney Marian Ryan, Newton Police Chief John Carmichael, and additional police cars, it became clear that the house was a crime scene.

“I saw her walking down the block every day with her walker,” said the neighbor, describing the wife in the married couple, who was devoted to Our Lady’s and volunteered there. The neighbor said, “Nothing is ever out of place in their home.” The victims’ grandchildren were frequent visitors at the home, as well. Describing their peaceful, close-knit neighborhood, the neighbor said, “I never lock my door during the day. Everyone knows everyone.” Another neighbor noted that the husband in the married couple was generous in sharing the bounty of his garden.

Triple homicide at Broadway home in Nonantum – signs of forced entry [updated]

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