Karen Saunders told Action News, "The police officer went up stairs and unlocked the door, and the chain lock was still on. And he was calling in there and I didn't hear the baby crying or anything. Then I knew that something was bad. Then they made me go outside."
Inside were 4 dead, including Karen Saunders' daughter Lindsey and grandson Kolby.
Lindsey, Saunders' third child, had an outgoing personality and big heart. Just a month ago Lindsey left Karen's small Wallingford home to try living on her own. Within days of renting a Chester apartment she ran into Michelle, an acquaintance from when they attended Sun Valley High School. Lindsey told her mom that Michelle needed a place to stay.
Lindsey, who worked at a hotel near the airport, was about to start a second job and needed help babysitting Kolby.
Saunders says her daughter began to have concerns about Michelle's behavior. She was not sure she wanted her as a roommate.
Authorities will not say how the 4 inside the locked apartment died. Action News reported on Monday one working theory, that Lindsey and Kolby were possibly suffocated while the others may have died of drug overdoses.
Saunders has heard similar conjecture. "To me, she opened her home to people she thought were friends, and they hurt her and my grandson."
Authorities estimated today that it could be weeks before they have more to say as to what exactly happened inside that apartment.
In the meantime, funeral arrangements for Lindsey and Kolby have been made. In lieu of flowers, the family asking for donations in the memory of Lindsey and her son. To make a donation, please contact Pagano Funeral Home at (610) 485-6200.
Viewing and funeral information is as follows:
Friday
Viewing will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Pagano Funeral Home
3711 Foulk Road
Garnet Valley, Pa. 19061
Saturday
Viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
St. John Chrysostom Church
617 S. Providence Road
Wallingford, Pa. 19086
Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m.
St. John Chrysostom Church
Burial services at St. Peter and Paul Cemetery
Springfield, Delaware County
