MILFORD, Pa. — A Pike County man repeatedly stabbed his parents with a kitchen knife until they died Tuesday at the family home near Milford, state police at Blooming Grove said. The accused killer reportedly admitted to investigators that he murdered them.
"I don't recall an incident like this of a double homicide of both parents," said Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin.
When a group of state troopers arrived at 103 Larkspur Lane North in Dingman Township, they found Jacqueline Winkler, 67, and Jeffrey Winkler, 66, already dead on the kitchen floor, according to a criminal complaint. The couple's 32-year-old son, Colin Winker, stood naked on the back deck, smearing blood all over his body.
"As documented in the criminal complaint, it was a very bloody crime scene," said Tonkin said.
With one shot from a stun gun, the troopers took him to the ground and put him in handcuffs.
Then came the work of figuring out what led to such a ghastly scene.
The 911 call that brought the state police to the quiet Pike County neighborhood was placed just after 5 p.m. by Colin Winkler's brother, who went to the house to check on his parents. Jacqueline Winkler moments earlier called the witness to report that his brother was suffering a "psychotic break." That call had disconnected and he had been unable to reach her by phone again, according to his statement.
Colin Winkler had been acting manic of late, but he was seeing a therapist to work through past trauma, Winkler's brother told state police. Colin Winkler, in a later statement to investigators, said he'd been sexually abused as a young boy.
The suspect's brother entered the home and was greeted by the sight of his slain mother and father. He soon retreated from the home and called for help.
That brought the state police to the scene. Moments later, they took a blood-covered Colin Winkler into custody.
At the scene, Colin Winkler told state police he thought he had been asleep and had no recollection of what happened. During an interview soon after, he admitted he murdered his parents.
Colin Winkler is awaiting arraignment on two counts each of criminal homicide and aggravated assault, according to a docket. It is unclear if he has an attorney.
According to court records, his only previous brush with the law came in 2015. At the time, he was sentenced to two nights in jail for driving under the influence.
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