Mother, daughter found stabbed to death in basement of Northeast Philly home, police say

UPDATE: Police identified the suspect in the double homicide as 43-year-old Leandro Barberena, the husband and son-in-law of the two victims, officials said. New details here.

Police in Philadelphia are investigating after the bodies of two women who were stabbed to death were discovered in the basement of a home in the Crescentville section of Northeast Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon.

According to police, officers responded to a report of a person with a gun at a property located along the 6000 block of Bingham Street at about about 1:33 p.m.

At that time, officials said, the officers located a 75-year-old woman and a 58-year-old woman in the basement of the home after both women had suffered multiple stab wounds to the body.

"A neighbor was able to get them into the property," Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said.

Both women were pronounced at the scene at about 1:45 p.m. officials said. They have been identified as a mother and her daughter.

On Wednesday, police officials identified the victims as Angela Trejo, 75, and Alma Barberena, 58.

Local

Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.

nbc10 investigators 22 hours ago

Watch the ‘True Crime Marathon' on NBC10's streaming channel

Philadelphia marathon Nov 18

Philly Marathon guide for runners, spectators: Road closures, how to get there

Vanore said that the scene did not show signs of a break-in and he did not want to speculate if the suspect, or suspects, knew the victims. No one else was found inside the home.

Neighbors told NBC10 that they were left in shock by the news. They described the older woman as a kind neighbor and said that the two women lived with the husband of the 75-year-old woman.

"You would think that this is a very safe environment so for two women to be dead, that breaks my heart honestly speaking," neighbor Marylee Rodriguez said.

This type of situation was especially a surprise to some as neighbors say this block is a safe, family-friendly neighborhood.

“Nothing like this happens over here, it's crazy. I live a little farther down and nothing like this ever happens in this area, like, it's really crazy," a neighbor who didn't want to be identified told NBC10.

Officials said a man has been taken in for questioning in this incident.

However, the investigation into the incident is ongoing and no arrests have yet been made.

This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as new information becomes available.