A SUSPECT has been arrested after an elderly woman and a couple celebrating 50 years of marriage were found murdered inside their Massachusetts home.
Cops uncovered video of suspect Christopher Ferguson, 41, acting strange after he allegedly killed Jill and Bruno D'Amore, ages 73 and 74, and Jill's 97-year-old mother Lucia Arpino.
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Ferguson was charged on Monday with one count of murder and assault and battery after he allegedly broke into a Newton home and attacked the family, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said.
Police expect to bring more charges when all three victims' autopsies are finished. Only Jill's had been completed as of Monday night.
She was found to have 30 stab wounds and blunt force trauma with her death ruled a homicide, the DA said.
Ferguson was taken into custody after cops found surveillance footage of him "staggering" in the area while wearing no shoes or shirt at 5.20am, Fox News Digital reported.
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Police officers who were shown the video reportedly recognized Ferguson.
The footage was captured about 100 yards from his home and about four-tenths of a mile from the crime scene, the DA said.
"There were obvious signs of a struggle in one of the bedrooms, including broken furniture and a crystal paperweight covered with blood," Ryan said of the murder scene.
A blood-stained knife was found in the kitchen and a bloody footprint tied the suspect to the crime, according to the DA.
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Investigators don't believe Ferguson had a connection to the family and he likely broke in through a window in the basement, prosecutors said.
'SALT OF THE EARTH'
The victims were named in a heart-wrenching letter that was released by the Sacred Heart and Our Lady's Collaborative church, where they were active members.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share that the terrible tragedy that happened yesterday in Newton hit very close to home…impacting our faith community and our own family," the letter reads.
The victims were longtime members of the church and had a profound impact on the community.
Jill and Bruno were set to renew their wedding vows at a celebration of their 50th anniversary at church the morning they were found dead.
Jill spent "endless hours in the care of our church" gardening and managing the grounds while Bruce was known for his "big voice and his exuberant personality."
He volunteered as grill master, flipping burgers for the parish.
The beloved couple leaves behind three children and five grandchildren.
"Wonderful, salt of the earth people," Father Dan Riley told NBC affiliate WBTS of the family.
"When bad things happen to good people, this is really, really good people, salt of the earth."
The priest went on to say: "The agony of this tragedy is all too real. God’s love working through you is also real. Likewise, Jesus' resurrection is real.
"This means that, as we deeply, deeply grieve, we do so with the support of each other and with confidence that, in the end, good defeats evil and life conquers death."
A memorial will be held at the parish on Tuesday night.
'RANDOM ATTACK'
The victims were discovered on Sunday morning at around 10am by someone who knew them and immediately called 911.
Ryan said that she cannot remember another time that a triple murder took place in Newton, which is 10 miles outside of Boston.
The community was on edge for 24 hours before the suspect's arrest was announced.
Investigators said that it appears the killings were part of a random, botched home invasion.
James Bishop, a neighbor who lives around the corner, said that he will have to rethink his security after the attack.
"It kind of made me think a little bit, re-examine how you protect yourself and your house, last thing you would ever think here," Bishop told WBTS.
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Officials said that Ferguson could be arraigned as early as Tuesday morning.
He is expected to appear at his next hearing.
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