Authorities said a man confessed to murdering his 6-year-old sister and two young cousins while they lay in bed in Maryland, but his motive in doing so is still unclear.
“We have many answers, but unfortunately we don’t have all of them at this point,” Prince George’s County police Capt. Anthony Schartner during a press conference Saturday, noting officials are only hours into their investigation.
Antonio Williams, 25, was arrested Friday and charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Nadiara Janae Withers, 6, as well as his cousins Ariana Elizabeth Decree, 9, and Ajayah Royale Decree, 6, NBC Washington reported.
Police discovered their bodies in a Clinton home around 7:30 a.m. Friday. A 2-year-old — another one of the suspect’s sisters — was in the home at the time, but was unharmed.
The Decree sisters were visiting from Newark, N.J., for the summer. They’re the daughters of Williams’ mother’s cousin, according to the news station.
Investigators said his mother, Andrena Kelley, left Williams alone to watch over the children while she worked an overnight shift. When she returned home early Friday morning, she found the girls in a basement bedroom, suffering from apparent stab wounds.
First responders pronounced all three of the girls dead on the scene. Police spokesperson Jennifer Donelan called it “one of the most difficult scenes” Prince George’s County officers have investigated.
Williams remained at the home after the slayings and was taken to the police station, where authorities said he offered a full confession following an extensive interview.
Williams is in custody of the Department of Corrections on a no-bond status.
