Family members say victim Loretta Weed was a strong woman who raised six children. One of them, Ronald, remained at home and had issues. Mother and son had a passion for pets. Now, he is accused of killing her.
EMS crews arrived to a scene of bloody violence: 65-year old Loretta Weed and 12-year old twin granddaughters beaten and stabbed, Weed's 40-year old son Ronald taken into custody.
Loretta Weed, a retired New Jersey Transit driver, later died of her wounds. 12-year old Kimberly and Courtney McCarten remain in critical condition.
Family members say Ronald had been diagnosed as mentally ill and may have recently stopped taking his medication.
The prosecutor alleges Ronald Weed used a ceramic bowl, an axe handle, and a knife in the attack.
Friends say there had been outbursts before, but they had not thought of Ronald Weed as violent until today's arrest.
"He had a jacket on but it had blood on it and he was wearing a pair of black pants that were almost falling off, in cuffs," said neighbor Joan Barbara.
Family members don't know what triggered today's deadly incident. Loretta Weed died without regaining consciousness. Police hope one of the wounded twins can shed more light on that. It was one of the children who called 9-1-1.
