Neighbour arrested after bloody footprints left at murder scene of couple
A neighbour has been arrested after bloody footprints were left at the grisly scene of the murder of an elderly couple in Massachusetts on their wedding anniversary.
Christopher Ferguson, 41, was arrested yesterday evening in connection with the murders of Jill and Bruno D'Amore, aged 73 and 74 and Jill's mother Lucia Arpino, 97.
He has been charged with murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and burglary.
Jill and Bruno were set to renew their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Newton when they were stabbed to death inside their home.
A concerned friend went to check on their well-being when they did not show up for the anniversary celebration. They called police after discovering three people dead inside the home on Sunday morning at around 10.14am.
Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probe
Ferguson was also charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and burglary (CBS News)
Lucia Arpino was 97 (CBS News)The bloody scene showed indications that the elderly couple had put up a fight against their attacker in an attempt to stop them.
Ofificals said at a news conference on Sunday night the trio were believed to have died of stab wounds and blunt-force trauma. There were also signs the house had been broken into.
The victims and suspect all live in the Boston suburb of Newton but Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said it appeared there was no connection between them.
Bloody footprints were left at the house (CBS News)The big break in the case came when authorities were able to match a bloody footprint to that of Ferguson, who lived in the neighbourhood, she said. They also collected blood stains near the footprints and bloody fingerprints on the screens and windows from the house, Ryan said.
The killings rattled Newton and the Our Lady Help of Christians Church, where the victims worshipped. A message to parishioners said the three “lost their lives in a senseless act of violence.”
Residents were urged to lock their doors and check their surveillance cameras in case anything had been captured on them.
Ryan asked locals to "remain vigilant" before an arrest was made and Newton Police Chief John Carmichael said extra officers were brought in to reassure residents.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share that the terrible tragedy that happened yesterday in Newton hit very close to home … impacting our faith community and our own family,” wrote Paul and Ginny Arpino, who said the victims were their cousin and aunt.
The victims' church called the deaths a 'senseless act of violence' (CBS News)In their letter to the church community, Paul and Ginny Arpino said “Bruno was known for his big voice and his exuberant personality and as ‘head chef’, he proudly flipped the burgers at the parish picnic.”
They said his wife had taken on the ministry of beautifying the church’s environment.
Russian model killed after calling Putin a 'psychopath' was strangled by her ex
“Without a single day of liturgical training she simply followed her heart, caring for the flowers and decorating for the liturgical seasons,” they wrote.
They said until the pandemic Lucia Arpino never missed morning mass.
Ferguson is expected to face additional charges (Facebook)“Lucia will be especially missed on the upcoming Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festa weekend as she faithfully walked in that procession through the streets of Nonantum well into her 90’s,” they wrote.
Ferguson is expected to face additional charges pending autopsy results.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
