BERKELEY – Three children lost their parents and two grandparents in a tragic triple murder followed by a suicide.
A domestic violence tragedy resulted in the deaths of Deonna Stewart, and her parents, Allan and Michelle Russell, before Deonna’s ex turned the gun on himself. Their three children were in the house when it happened. They were physically unharmed.
More than $30,000 has been raised for the funerals of the three victims, with anything left over to be used for the care of the children.
“Allan and Michelle loved their children and grandchildren endlessly. Their faith in God was immeasurable. This horrific act of domestic violence took three precious lives,” said the person who started the fundraiser, a friend of one of the deceased.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said that at approximately 5 a.m., Berkeley Township Police Officers responded to a residence on Fairwood Drive for a report of shots fired. When they arrived, they observed a man entering the home. Then they heard additional gunfire inside.
The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team made entry into the residence. Officers found two victims deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The victims were later identified as the homeowners, Allan Russell, 61, and Michelle Russell, 60.
Three unharmed children were also found inside.
As officers continued to clear the residence, they found Vaughn Stewart, 37, of Maplewood, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Stewart was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he was later pronounced deceased.
Police at the scene broadened the perimeter of their investigation. That’s when they discovered multiple shell casings, and located a third victim, identified as Deonna Stewart, 38, of Berkeley Township, approximately 50 yards from the residence on the side of Fairwood Drive.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Deonna Stewart resided at the Fairwood Drive residence with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Russell, and three children.
Vaughn Stewart and Deonna Stewart were the parents of the three children and had been living separately. Further investigation revealed that Vaughn Stewart entered the residence and shot the Russells. Vaughn Stewart then chased Deonna Stewart down the street, fired multiple shots, and killed her. Vaughn Stewart then went back inside the residence and turned the gun on himself.
The minor children are currently in the care of the Department of Child Protection and Permanency.
Prosecutor Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.
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