Mass. man wanted in slayings of his mother, wife and 2 young children at family’s home

Mass. man charged in slayings of mom, wife, kids

WINCHESTER, Mass. — A man whose wife, two children and mother-in-law were found slain in the family’s home is being sought on murder charges in the killings, authorities said Thursday.

Thomas Mortimer IV, 43, remains unaccounted for. He is charged with four counts of murder, and authorities have issued an arrest warrant for him.

On Wednesday, Ellen Stone, 64; her 41-year-old daughter, Laura Stone Mortimer; 4-year-old Thomas Mortimer V; and Charlotte Mortimer, 2; were found dead.

Authorities would not say how the victims died, but District Attorney Gerry Leone described it as a “horrific, disturbing and unspeakable” scene.

Police said Mortimer may be driving a silver or light gray Toyota Highlander with Massachusetts license plate 81VJ58. Police in Avon, Conn., were keeping a look out for Mortimer because he has relatives who live there.

Laura Mortimer was a senior economist with the Los Angeles-based commercial real estate firm CB Richard Ellis.

“We are deeply saddened by tragic loss of Laura Stone Mortimer and her family,” a spokesman for the company said Thursday in a statement. “Laura was a valued and well respected colleague and, more important, a good friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Laura’s family and loved ones at this terrible time.”