A Pennsylvania woman has been arrested and charged with first-degree and third-degree murder in connection to the double-homicide of her elderly parents.
The victims, Reid Beck, 73, and Miriam Beck, 72, were found dismembered in their family home by authorities on Tuesday, after the couple’s son asked for a wellness check. The last time the victims were heard from was January 7.
Verity Beck, the couple’s 49-year-old daughter, was found by authorities in the home with the dismembered bodies. Verity lived at the home with her parents.
BREAKING : Elderly couple found dead in Jenkintown home were shot then dismembered , a chainsaw was found at the scene. Daughter charged w/ 1st degree murder. https://t.co/QE4FVh7aYI
— Annie McCormick (@6abcAnnie) January 18, 2023
After “entering the home, officers encountered the couple’s adult daughter inside,” a press release from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office read. “Officers observed one deceased person tightly wrapped in a white bed sheet, and evidence of a second deceased person inside the home. There were signs of extreme trauma present.”
When officers asked Verity where her parents were, the daughter reportedly responded, “They are dead.”
Verity was taken into custody and later charged.
Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office
During a further search of the home, authorities found a chainsaw near one of the dismembered bodies. Both Reid and Miriam’s bodies “were in various stages of dismemberment,” the press release noted, adding that “several firearms were recovered from the home as well.”
“Verity used this chainsaw and put parts of her parents into trash bags and had covered them up. They were actually in two different trash cans,” Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said during a press conference Wednesday.
Steele went on to reveal that officers were overcome with a smell when they walked in the home, making them believe the bodies had been decomposing for some time.
The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, after examining the couple, indicated the double-homicide could have been committed up to a week ago.
The coroner’s office also determined that Reid and Miriam “were victims of a gunshot wound to the head and the cause of death was ruled a homicide,” the DA’s office said.
Verity’s brother, according to a criminal complaint, was at the family home before he eventually called the police Tuesday. He saw what appeared to be a body under a blanket and spoke to his sister for about 30 minutes.
Verity allegedly told her brother that things at the home had “been bad.” He encouraged her to call the police, but after Verity told him she needed “more time,” he went home and called 911.
Verity is being held at Montgomery County Correctional Facility, and is not eligible for bail.
The DA’s office asks that anyone with knowledge please reach out to Abington Detectives at (267) 536-1100.