A Pennsylvania mother allegedly used money from her husband’s retirement account to fund a family vacation in the Poconos before fatally stabbing him and their three-year-old son, according to a relative.
Metallica Rose Harrison, 27, reportedly accessed her husband Charles Harrison’s 401(k) to pay for the family’s three-week stay at Great Wolf Lodge, stepmother April Thetga told the New York Post.
The trip was planned as an early Christmas present for the couple’s son, Tristan, Thetga said.
Although relatives thought taking the retirement money was unusual, they said they did not suspect that anything was seriously wrong between the couple.
‘It was definitely odd, but they’d taken their 401(k) out … There was nothing we could do about that,’ she said.
Thetga said the family did not know whether the Harrisons had taken a loan against the account or withdrawn the funds outright.
In the days before the killings, the family of three appeared happy and upbeat, according to their stepmother.
‘She had called and we’re video chatting, and then she says she loved us very much, just like she normally would,’ she continued.
Metallica Rose Harrison, 27, allegedly used her husband Charles’ 401(k) to pay for the family’s three-week stay at Great Wolf Lodge before the vacation ended in a fatal attack, stepmother April Thetga said
The family appeared cheerful in the days leading up to the tragedy, and Harrison video chatted with relatives the day before, telling them she loved them as she ‘normally would’
Harrison was found with self-inflicted injuries in the hotel room. Her husband had multiple stab wounds to the chest, while Tristan had one stab wound to the chest
The following day, however, police were called to the hotel on Monday after Harrison sought help to die by suicide, telling authorities she could not find where to stab herself, according to an affidavit.
Thetga described Charles as a devoted husband and father.
‘He was a fantastic husband. She definitely got lucky when it came to him. He just was good. He was a good father. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen him fight,’ she told the outlet.
Relatives said they remain stunned by the deaths and cannot understand what may have led Harrison to act.
‘Absolutely it was a loving family. We’re just as shocked as everybody else. We’re not evil people. We want answers. They were always happy,’ Thetga said.
An affidavit obtained by WNEP 16 said Harrison was discovered in the hotel room with self-inflicted injuries. Charles had suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest, while Tristan had a single stab wound to the chest.
Police said Harrison told them she wanted to join her husband and son. She reportedly told the emergency operator: ‘My husband and son are already gone in the bed in the living room. They’re already gone, I’m sorry.’
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While being taken to the hospital, Harrison told EMS workers that she was ‘not supposed to be here.’
Police were called to the family’s Great Wolf Lodge room on Monday after Harrison asked for help to die by suicide, saying she could not find where to stab herself
Thetga said that Charles had been a devoted husband and father. ‘He was a fantastic husband. She definitely got lucky when it came to him. He just was good. He was a good father. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen him fight,’ she said
‘Every day I work so hard. To be the best person, the best mother, the best wife,’ she allegedly said, according to police.
‘It wasn’t supposed to end like this. I was supposed to have my happy family. That’s what I envisioned since I was a child.’
Following her arrest, Harrison said she wouldn’t speak with police because she is ‘suicidal, not stupid,’ an affidavit obtained by WNEP 16 said.
Harrison asked EMS how deep her wrist vein is so she knew for ‘next time.’ She also said she had taken blood thinners and was frustrated that her blood had clotted, the outlet reported.
Responding officers from the Pocono Township Police Department discovered a butcher knife on the floor of the bathroom and a small knife in the sink. The Lodge told police that the knives didn’t belong to the hotel.
Police also discovered several bottles of medication and containers with what they believe to be blood inside, the outlet reported.
The family had been checked into the resort from September 21 until October 5. They extended their stay until Tuesday.
Monroe County District Attorney Mike Mancuso said on Tuesday that the ‘disturbing’ incident was a ‘violent domestic tragedy’ and there was no public threat.
Police said Harrison told them she wanted to join her husband and son after telling the operator: ‘My husband and son are already gone in the bed in the living room. They’re already gone, I’m sorry’
Despite their family finding the financial move ‘odd,’ they didn’t believe anything to be majorly wrong between the couple. ‘It was definitely odd, but they’d taken their 401(k) out … There was nothing we could do about that,’ she said
‘The investigation continues as we gather further evidence shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this horrendous situation,’ Mancuso wrote in a statement.
Jason Lasecki, vice president of corporate communications for Great Wolf Lodge, told the outlet that they were ‘deeply saddened and heartbroken’ by the incident.
‘It was an isolated family incident, and we’re cooperating fully with local law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those affected,’ the statement said.
Harrison was charged with two counts of criminal homicide. It remains unclear if she has entered a plea.
Our News Outlet reached out to the Pocono Township Police Department and Monroe County District Attorney Mike Mancuso for comment.
