South Jersey father charged in strangulation death of disabled daughter

FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- The family of Devin Hall is preparing for her funeral later this week after authorities say her father killed her inside their Franklin Township, Gloucester County home.

Hall's mother, Jan Hall, who is also the wife of the accused, described the events surrounding her daughter's death and the care she required.

She said Devin Hall, 40, had multiple disabilities from birth, used a wheelchair and did not speak but communicated in other ways.

"I read her a lot through her eyes," Jan Hall said. "So I knew when something wasn't right with her and she could sense when something wasn't right with me."

Family members remembered Devin Hall as gentle and kind, with an infectious laugh.

"Devin was a beautiful soul. She never harmed anybody in her life," said Jane Cox, the victim's aunt.

According to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, Devin Hall's father, 71-year-old Dennis Hall, strangled her on June 11.

Jan Hall said her husband told her what had happened after waking her.

"When he woke me up I asked him what was wrong, and he said, 'I strangled Devin. She's dead.' And I thought I didn't hear him right," she said.

Jan Hall said she attempted CPR after learning what occurred, and Devin Hall was taken to a hospital.

She was removed from life support the following day.

Jan Hall said she continues to struggle to understand why it happened.

"I would just like him to tell me why he did it. He had an opportunity to come in and get me when he went in there and she had wet the bed. He could've came and woke me up. And I could've helped him," she said.

Jan Hall also said her husband had been experiencing mental health issues over the past year and was undergoing treatment for depression.

She said she had worried something like this could happen but remains overwhelmed by the loss.

"It's like hell. I feel like I'm walking in a nightmare," she said.

Dennis Hall is being held in the Salem County Jail on a murder charge. Attempts to reach his defense attorney were unsuccessful.