A mother and daughter were killed during a home invasion in New Jersey, and the killer is the father of the younger victim’s son.
Marisol Nunez, 54, and her daughter Catherine Nunez, 33, were fatally murdered inside Catherine’s home on Harrington Circle in Willingboro on Wednesday, October 30.
According to a news release from the Office of the Burlington County Prosecutor, Junior Edwards, 37, was charged with many offenses on Friday, Nov. 1, including two charges of first-degree murder, house invasion burglary armed with a firearm, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Catherine’s 8-year-old kid was inside the house during the incident but was uninjured. Prosecutors claim Edwards is the father of Catherine’s son.
Willingboro Township Police Department officers were dispatched to the home shortly after 4 a.m. on Oct. 30 for a complaint of a burglary in progress. After entering the property, officers discovered the bodies of the two women in an upstairs bedroom.
“The investigation revealed that entry was made through a first-floor window that had been smashed open by Edwards,” the prosecution claimed. “A handgun believed to be used in the homicides was discovered outside of the residence.”
Marisol, a hotel worker, lived in New York City and babysat her grandson while her daughter worked, according to the Courier Post.
Marisol’s brother-in-law, Joseph Puig, described the two women as “the epitome of goodness” during a family and community gathering outside the home on Sunday, November 3.
“They’re both beautiful souls and didn’t deserve this,” Puig added, according to CBS News.
Catherine’s boyfriend, Joshua Jackson, characterized her as a “great mother who loved her son.” “She always did everything for her son.”
“I don’t have enough nice things to say about her,” he told CBS News.
Edwards was hauled into arrest in Philadelphia. It’s unknown whether he’s filed a plea or has an attorney speaking on his behalf.
According to prosecutors, the killings were motivated by domestic violence.
“It is still being investigated as to exactly why he chose to do this,” Joel Bewley, a prosecutor’s office representative, tells PEOPLE.
According to Bewley, Catherine Nunez contacted 911 from within the house and “indicated that somebody was trying to break into the house, and when the officers arrived they discovered the two bodies but the intruder had fled at that point.”