A tragic murder-suicide in New Jersey has claimed the lives of three individuals, with authorities identifying the perpetrator as an estranged father. This devastating event unfolded when Vaughn Stewart, 37, took the lives of his children’s mother and her parents.
According to investigators, the incident occurred on Tuesday when Stewart forcibly entered the home of his former partner, 38-year-old Deonna Stewart, in Berkeley Township, as reported by nj.com. Deonna lived there with their three children.
Once inside, Stewart allegedly shot Deonna’s parents, Allan Russell, 61, and Michelle Russell, 60. The violence then spilled onto the street as he pursued Deonna in the typically quiet and serene neighborhood, according to police reports.
Stewart is reported to have fired multiple shots, tragically ending Deonna’s life. He then returned to the residence and turned the weapon on himself, as detailed by news outlets.
Remarkably, the couple’s three children were found unharmed.
Authorities noted that Stewart, a resident of Maplewood, had been living apart from Deonna, who had relocated to her parents’ home with their children.
The heinous triple-homicide broke out on Fairwood Avenue at around 5 a.m., terrifying neighbors as gunfire rang out and cops flooded the area, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Neighbors described the Russels as a church-going couple that was well-liked in the neighborhood.
“They were truly great, great people,” James Casella, 41, told nj.com Tuesday — adding the slain pair was friendly and even gave his own three kids backpacks once.
“It really hit us hard,” he said of the senseless slaughter.
