NORTHFIELD, NEW HAMPSHIRE: A 17-year-old boy has been indicted for first-degree murder in the deaths of his sister-in-law and her two young sons, state authorities announced on Wednesday, October 4.
Eric Sweeney is accused of shooting Kassandra Sweeney, 25, and her children Benjamin and Mason, aged four and one at their home in Northfield, New Hampshire, on August 3, 2022.
He was also indicted for falsifying physical evidence for destroying or hiding Taurus .40 calibre handgun used in the killings, state Attorney General John M Formella said in a press release.
Why did Eric Sweeney kill his sister-in-law and her children?
The motive for the slayings has reportedly not been disclosed.The victims were found inside the house with a single gunshot wound each.
Their deaths were ruled as homicides by the medical examiner, as per Law and Crime.
Eric Sweeney was arrested eight days after the murders, but his name was not released at the time because he was a minor. He had just turned 16 when he allegedly committed the crime.
The victim's husband Sean Sweeney had called the police twice before the fatal shooting
The husband and father of the victims, Sean Sweeney, as per New Hampshire Union Leader, had called police twice in months before the killings, expressing fear for his family’s safety after finding weapons in his garage and nearby woods.
The last time he had called the police was just 12 days before the shooting, the report mentioned, citing police logs.
Even though the name of the juvenile at the time was redacted, Sean Sweeney, as per entries, had indicated that he was facing problems with someone he knew who was either living with the family or was a frequent visitor.
He “has been making strange comments around the house,” Sweeney told police at the time when he found a weapon in the garage and several others in surrounding woods.
Sean Sweeney was 'worried for his toddler'
However, no arrests were made and the police had talked to him and promised to change his behaviour.
“Sean is worried for his toddlers' safety with weapons and (REDACTED) behaviour,” the log read as per the report.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Geoffrey Ward told reporters that Sean Sweeney was cooperative with the investigation.
“He is obviously beyond devastated as a result of these crimes,” Ward said.
Kassandra Sweeney was described as most 'genuine and beautiful'
Alizabeth Dawson set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for memorial costs and living expenses at the time.
She described Kassandra Sweeney as “one of the most genuine and beautiful people you could ever meet” and her sons as “two beautiful baby boys.”
The indictment was issued on September 13 and Eric Sweeney who is in custody has a court date scheduled for November 3, according to The Boston Globe.
