The twins' grandmother was also killed in the attack. The tragedy played out on the 400 block of South Nectar Avenue in Galloway Township, Atlantic County Wednesday morning.
Family members say the grandmother, 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 were critically injured. Sadly, Kimberly passed away after fighting for her life for two days.
Weed's father has said he is a schizophrenic. During a court appearance Wednesday. Ronald Weed told a judge he was treated at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital 10 years ago, but is not currently under a doctor's care.
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.
Weed said he could not afford a private attorney during a hearing Wednesday, and the judge directed him to apply for services of a public defender.
Weed will go back to court to face additional charges now that his niece has died.
His bail is currently set at $1 million.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this article.
