lesbian couple and their two children murdered day after christmas

Just two days after Christmas, the unimaginable happened when a family of four was found murdered in their basement apartment in the Lansingburgh section of  Troy, NY. The victims, 36-year-old mother Shanta Myers, her 22-year-old girlfriend Brandi Mellls and their two children Shanise Myers, 5, Jeremiah Myers, 11, were found in Troy, New York, bound with their throats slashed. The property manager went to check the apartment on Tuesday after family had contacted the building owner and asked for someone to check on the family, who had not been returning calls for an undisclosed amount of time.

At this time, Troy Police Chief John Tedesco says he believes the acts were “not a random killing” saying, “There are indications at the crime scene that this was not a random act. We are certainly appealing to people in the community that would have any knowledge as to what may have transpired there to contact us as soon as possible.”

At a press conference, Jeremiah’s basketball coach made a statement about his student’s heinous murder: “I want people to understand that these were children and that’s the greatest disgrace that has ever happened. I know that the young man involved was definitely a good person. He was very coachable and lovable.”

Others in the community and neighbors have released statements testifying to Shanta’s dedication as a mother and kindness as a neighbor. Equasia Watson described her as “a very sweet, sweet girl…. my son played with her son. We had dinners together. She took her kids to school. She went to work. She got her kids from school. She was always with them kids — she was a great mother.”

Last Friday, Dec. 29, James White, 38, and Justin Mann, 24, both of Schenectady, N.Y, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and four charges of second-degree murder. Both pled not guilty at their arraignments on Saturday, Dec. 30.