The bodies of a mother and her two adult daughters were discovered ‘tucked into bed’ in what police think was a targeted triple homicide.
Suzanne Taylor, 45, and her children Taylor Pifer, 21 and Kylie Pifer, 18, were found on Sunday night in their Ohio home by the 21-year-old’s boyfriend, who became concerned after not hearing from his partner since the day before, according to North Royalton Police.
A responding police officer said the bodies were found “face down in bed all lying right next to one another” according to a police report.
Detective Dave Loeding told PEOPLE investigators believe the killings were "specific", and there was no sign of forced entry into the house.
It appeared the women were killed the day before their bodies were found arranged under the covers of Taylor's bed, he said.
George Brinkman was arrested in relation to the killings early on Tuesday morning and has been charged with three counts of aggravated murder, three counts of kidnapping and one count of tampering with evidence, according to WKYC News.
Brinkman was arrested after an overnight standoff and has also been charged with the murder of two others, Rogell John II, 71, and his wife, Roberta John, 64 whose bodies were found in their home on Monday night.
The couple was shot, but their official cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
The stepmother of the two Pifer women told Fox 8 News this week she had been "blindsided" by the tragedy.
"They were great kids. Taylor and Kylie were great students. Taylor was majoring in fashion design, while Kylie was involved in theatre and was majoring in forensic science," Sonia Pifer said.
At present, Brinkman's motivations remain unclear, although Suzanne Taylor's partner, Scott Plymale, told the court the "evil" murders had little to do with the girls, but rather the accused murderer's "feelings" for Suzanne. The exact nature of the relationship between Brinkman and Taylor is not clear.
Brinkman's bond was set at US$75 million.
