A man and a woman were stabbed repeatedly in a South Philadelphia apartment and found wrapped in blankets Tuesday. Police say the man died on his 78th birthday.
Police identified the 78-year-old murder victim as Eugene C. Zappacosta. The woman is identified as Janet Burgess, 50.
Police told the Inquirer that Burgess was covered with so much blood, investigators at first thought she was a man.
Both victims had their throats slashed and were stabbed multiple times in the apartment on the 1300 block of Dickinson Street, according to authorities. Both victims lived at the residence, police said.
Two dogs were also found stabbed to death inside the apartment, police say.
The killer or killers apparently turned on the gas in the apartment before leaving, authorities say. The landlord discovered the bodies while investigating the gas odor. Police say there were no signs of forced entry.
