TROY — Savagery. That’s what Chief of Troy Police James Tedesco called the murders of two children, their mother and another woman found dead in their Second Avenue basement apartment on Tuesday.
Tedesco released limited information during a Wednesday afternoon press conference but identified the victim’ as two women, ages 36 and 22, and two children, an 11-year-old boy and 5-year-old girl.
Officials believe the victims were targeted and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
“There are indications at the crime scene that this was not a random act,” Tedesco said. “We are certainly appealing to people in the community that would have any knowledge as to what may have transpired there to contact us as soon as possible.”
Tedesco, who announced his pending retirement earlier this month, called the quadruple homicide one of the wors he’s ever seen.
“After being in this business for nearly 42 years, I can say I have never seen savagery like this,” said Tedesco. “Only a person of savagery would do something like this.”
The victims were found dead inside their 158 Second Ave., basement apartment at about 12:50 p.m. Police have not disclosed the victims’ full identities, how they were killed or when they were attacked.Numerous law enforcement sources not involved in the investigation told the Times Union that all four of the victims were bound, with their throats cut.
The 36-year-old victim is the mother of the two children, and she was in a domestic relationship with the 22-year-old woman.
Police said the building’s property manager found the four victim’s after family members told him that the victims were not answering calls.
Officials said they do not believe the public is at risk, but police and religious leaders urged the public to stay vigilant.
“Until they catch whoever did this, there are certainly reasons to be fearful,” said Pastor Jackie Robinson Sr., of Oak Grove Baptist Church on Seventh Avenue in Troy. “We don’t know who did it. Until we find out, it certainly makes sense to be vigilant and keep your doors locked.”
