A popular family resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains became the scene of an unthinkable double homicide this week.

Police say a 27-year-old mother killed her husband and their 3-year-old son inside a room at Great Wolf Lodge — then called 911 while trying to take her own life.

Metallica Rose Harrison of Towanda is now charged with two counts of criminal homicide.

Pocono Township Police said officers were dispatched to room 2030 at the Scotrun resort at approximately 3:13 p.m. Monday after a report of a distressed woman. Harrison had allegedly told a dispatcher that she needed help taking her own life.

Officers found Harrison with visible injuries when they reached the room. While checking for the rest of her family, they discovered an adult man and a 3-year-old boy dead inside.

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The adult victim was identified in court documents as Harrison’s husband, Charles Harrison. Authorities have not publicly released the child’s name.

Police immediately opened a homicide investigation and charged Harrison with two counts of criminal homicide. They said she would await arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Daniel Kresge.

The department called the case an isolated domestic tragedy and said there was no threat to the resort or community. County prosecutors, the coroner, state police forensic personnel, EMS, and lodge staff are assisting with the active investigation.

What investigators say happened before officers arrived is almost impossible to read.

ABC News, citing the criminal complaint, reports that Harrison told the 911 dispatcher her husband and son were already gone. Authorities allege she never requested medical help for them during the call.

The complaint says Charles Harrison suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest. The couple’s son appeared to have suffered one stab wound to the chest.

Harrison allegedly had cuts on her wrist and superficial puncture wounds to her neck. She was transported to a hospital for treatment before arraignment.

During the ambulance ride, she allegedly told responders that she had taken medication intended to thin her blood and expressed frustration that her blood was clotting. The complaint says she spoke about having wanted a happy family and trying every day to be the best mother and wife she could be.

When a detective later read Harrison her Miranda rights and asked to discuss what brought her to the hospital, she declined to speak. Investigators also reported that they did not observe defensive wounds on her body.

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ABC reported that authorities recovered a large butcher-style knife and a smaller knife from the bathroom. Resort staff reportedly told investigators that neither was the type of knife supplied by Great Wolf Lodge.

CBS Philadelphia reports that the family checked into the lodge on September 21 and later extended the reservation. Their checkout was scheduled for October 13, one day after officers were called to the room.

The criminal complaint says surveillance video showed the family entering room 2030 at about 7 p.m. Sunday. Harrison was then seen leaving briefly to use a microwave.

She and her husband were later recorded going to the arcade before returning to the room. Investigators said there was no later documented surveillance of the family together.

Police reported finding a large butcher-style knife on the bathroom floor, a smaller knife in the sink, and a garbage can containing a liquid believed to be blood. Great Wolf Lodge said those knives were not supplied by the resort and that it was cooperating fully with law enforcement.

The story became even more haunting after social media photos surfaced showing what appeared to be a smiling family enjoying ordinary moments together.

That is what makes this case so chilling.

There is the public picture: smiles, water parks and a young child held close by his parents.

Then there is the scene police say they found in room 2030.

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Great Wolf Lodge said it was heartbroken by the tragedy and is cooperating fully with law enforcement. The resort stressed that this was an isolated family incident.

The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, county coroner, Pennsylvania State Police forensic personnel, St. Luke’s EMS and resort security are assisting with the investigation.

Harrison is awaiting arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Daniel Kresge. The charges are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Two lives are gone — a father and a little boy — and no smiling photograph can make sense of what allegedly happened behind that hotel-room door.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential support 24 hours a day.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here.

 

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