In Syosset, New York, five people were killed in a murder-suicide linked to an inheritance dispute, according to Long Island police. Joseph Delucia Jr. took the lives of his niece and three siblings at his home on Wyoming Court, just two days after the burial of his 95-year-old mother, who also resided there, according to police reports.
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Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder weighed in on the grim case.
“In 41 years, that is probably one of the most horrific scenes I’ve ever seen, walking into that back room of that house where these four victims lie after being shot multiple times,” Ryder said, per CBS News.
Police reported that Delucia Jr., 51, discharged his pump-action shotgun 12 times. It resulted in the deaths of his sister Joanne Kearns, 64, from Tampa, Florida; his brother Frank Delucia, 69, from North Carolina; as well as his other sister Tina Hammond, 64, and her daughter Victoria Hammond, 30, both from East Patchogue, New York.
Delucia Jr., a former EMT turned auto mechanic, was found dead in a chair on the front lawn. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest.
Following Theresa Martha Delucia’s funeral at Calverton National Cemetery on Friday, her family intended to put her house on the market.
Reportedly, they were scheduled to settle the will and meet with a realtor on the day of the murders. However, Delucia Jr. was reluctant to move and became angry over the inheritance.
A Real Estate Agent Was Set to Meet the Family Member Who Were Involved in the Murder-Suicide
Mary Macaluso, a local real estate agent, says she was set to meet the family about selling the home.
“The mom just died, and they were selling the house,” Macaluso told Newsday.
She mentioned that she was scheduled to meet her relatives at their home around noon. However, by the time she arrived, the authorities had already closed the street.
“The kids were all here for the funeral. They asked me to come to look at the house,’’ Macaluso added.
She mentioned that one of the children had requested a meeting with the family to discuss listing the home. They were eager to act quickly, as two family members had traveled from Florida for the funeral. They would be returning soon, Macaluso explained.
Meanwhile, neighbors described Delucia Jr. as a volatile individual. However, they never imagined he would commit the unthinkable act of murdering his family.
“There was talk in the community in the past that if you hear shots fired, don’t call the police, it’ll be too late,” Commissioner Ryder explained.
According to the police, the shotgun used to kill his four family members was registered.
Neighbors reported that Delucia Jr. lived with his mother throughout his life and exhibited occasional public outbursts.