Keisha and Kelsey Morrison: Mom and daughter, 9, murdered with ax at NJ home, brother-in-law arrested
ROSELLE, NEW JERSEY: A nine-year-old girl and her mother were discovered dead in their New Jersey home on Thursday, April 20. The woman's brother-in-law has been arrested in Maryland for his alleged involvement in their deaths, according to authorities.
Kelsey Morrison and her mother, Keisha Morrison, 45, were bludgeoned to death during a domestic dispute with their family member, said Atasha Scott, the slain woman's sister-in-law. Maryland State Police identified Everoy J Morrison, 44, as a person of interest in the double-homicide case, reported ABC7.
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The alleged murderer lived in the basement of the victim's home
Everoy, who is the half-brother of Keisha's husband, lived in the basement of their home. Maryland State Police initially arrested Everoy on Wednesday after he was stopped for stealing a New Jersey-registered 2019 silver BMW 750. He was awaiting his extradition to New Jersey while he was taken into custody in the Baltimore County Detention Center.
Talking to ABC7 NY, Scott said that before the homicides, Keisha asked Everoy to get out of the house. However, he refused to leave. The slain woman and her children were "uncomfortable with him being in the home," said Scott, as reported by People.
Keisha's husband Gary Morrison discovered the sheet-wrapped bodies of his daughter and wife under a bed and found the axe that was apparently used for the murder. The weapon was stuffed under a mattress. "On the floor, it seemed like somebody was trying to clean up blood like it was swirled around," according to Scott.
Surviving family members have been displaced since the tragedy
The slain child was just a few days away from celebrating her 10th birthday. As per the News 12 New Jersey report, the Morrisons were a "blended family. Following the tragic death of Keisha and Kelsey, the surviving family members have been displaced. A Meal Train page has been organized to support the family members. "On April 19, 2023, an unspeakable tragedy affected the Morrison Family and they had to say goodbye to Keisha and Kelsey. Gary, Amber, Kyla, and Kadera have since been displaced," read the page's description. "If you find it in your heart to provide a meal to sustain this family during this difficult time, please do so. They are currently staying at a hotel," the description added.