Twitter
Advertisement

Pennsylvania suspect Bradley William Stone in family killings dies of self-inflicted cuts

Latest News
article-main
Bradley William Stone, a 35-year-old Pennsburg, Pennsylvania resident is pictured in this undated handout photo taken from his phone and provided by the Montgomery County District Attorney`s Office. Pennsylvania police on December 16, 2014,
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

An Iraq War veteran sought in the killing of six family members in Pennsylvania was found dead on Tuesday of "self-inflicted cutting wounds" following a two-day manhunt, authorities said.

Suspect Bradley William Stone, 35, of Pennsburg was being sought in the deaths on Monday of his ex-wife, her mother, grandmother, sister and two other family members, including his 14-year-old niece. His 17-year-old nephew was seriously wounded.

Stone's body was found on Tuesday afternoon in a wooded area in New Hanover Township, about a half mile (0.8 km) from his home in Pennsburg, about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Philadelphia, County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman told a news conference.

An autopsy would determine the official cause of death and how long Stone had been dead, she said.

"Based upon what we found at the scene, we believe that he died of self-inflicted cutting wounds in the center part of his body," she said.

Citing sources, WPVI-TV reported Stone killed himself with a sword and that a sword had been used in the slayings.

Stone's nephew suffered significant cuts to his hands and head and was hospitalized in stable condition.

"It certainly appears to us they were defensive in nature and that he was fighting off his attacker," Ferman said.

Stone and his ex-wife, Nicole, 33, filed for divorce in 2009 and had an ongoing custody battle over their daughters, aged 8 and 5, Ferman said.

Stone asked a court on Dec. 5 to grant him emergency custody but was denied, Ferman said.

The killing spree "certainly from a timing perspective seems to be related," Ferman said.

Local media reported Stone suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, but Ferman said to her knowledge he had not been diagnosed with PTSD.

Stone enlisted with the US Marine Corps Reserves in 2002, was deployed to Iraq and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant in 2011, according to a military spokesman.

Most of the victims suffered gunshot wounds, and some also suffered what Ferman described as cutting wounds. Stone's niece suffered cutting injuries, she said.

Stone's daughters were unharmed. He had taken them from his ex-wife's house and left them with a neighbor on Monday, Ferman said. His current wife and infant child also were safe.

The killings set off Pennsylvania's second recent high-profile manhunt after a seven-week chase to capture survivalist Eric Frein, accused of killing a state trooper in September.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement