Great Guy Richard Owen Kills His Mother, the Dog, and Himself

NEW PORT RICHEY — After Richard Owen, his elderly mother and their pet chihuahua didn't venture outside their home for several days, one of their neighbors placed a call to the authorities.

People were getting worried.

"We got called out on a welfare check," said Kevin Doll, a spokesman for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. "The neighbors hadn't seen them in a few days and they started to smell decay."

When deputies arrived at the home at 4455 Grandwood Lane Saturday night, the neighbors' worst fears were confirmed: Owen and his 87-year-old mother, Joan Owen, were both dead inside, apparently of a murder-suicide...

City man held in murder case in Michigan

How does a man described as a good neighbor and loving father end up a suspect in a double murder in which the victims may be his relatives?

That's what those who know city resident Johan A. Vanniekerk are wondering since two bodies were found in a Marshall, Mich., Comfort Inn around 5:30 p.m. Friday. Vanniekerk, 40, was preliminarily charged with two counts of murder and an immigration violation Sunday and was being held without bond at the Calhoun County Jail. He was scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. today at 10th District Court in Battle Creek, Mich.

Fort Wayne Police believe Vanniekerk drove to Marshall with his mother and one of his three young daughters after being accused of beating his wife, Donna J. Vanniekerk, according to a news release from Officer John Chambers, a Fort Wayne Police spokesman. Police have not said why Vanniekerk stopped in Marshall, a town of about 7,300 located about 90 miles north of Fort Wayne.

Batterer charged in deaths of his mom, ex

A chronic domestic batterer murdered his ex-girlfriend, dressed up her body and put makeup on her face, leaving a twisted love note in blood on the wall after killing his own mother during a weekend rampage in New Bedford, authorities said yesterday.

Gary Anthony Gomes, 35, of New Bedford was held without bail yesterday in New Bedford District Court on two counts of murder and one count of kidnapping.

On Tuesday, authorities discovered the bodies of Katherine Gomes, 61, the suspect’s mother, and his former girlfriend Robyn N. Mendes, 48, both stabbed to death...More Here...