A tragic incident unfolded in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, when a 13-year-old boy returned from school to discover his mother’s lifeless body on the bathroom floor, the victim of a fatal stabbing allegedly committed by his stepfather. The stepfather, Rocheny Clerge, reportedly attempted to take his own life after the act but survived, according to local law enforcement.
The victim, 31-year-old Violette Pierre, was found beneath Clerge’s body on November 25 in their family home. The police report indicated that Clerge was also covered in a significant amount of blood, with a large knife found near him. Officers on the scene were able to pull Clerge off Pierre and administer lifesaving measures. Clerge had a severe laceration on his neck and was bleeding profusely.
The boy, upon discovering the horrific scene, ran out of the house in a panic to alert a neighbor, who subsequently called 911. The boy later informed the police that his parents frequently argued and had been in a dispute that morning before he left for school. He also mentioned that his mother had threatened to leave Clerge the day prior to the fatal incident.
Clerge was immediately transported to a local hospital for advanced medical care. Despite his self-inflicted injuries, he is expected to make a recovery. An investigation into the incident was promptly initiated by the local police.
Home security footage reportedly captured the boy leaving for school around 8:30 a.m. and returning in the afternoon to the gruesome scene. The video also showed an uncle taking Pierre’s two other children to school that morning while she and Clerge were allegedly engaged in a heated argument. The footage showed the boy leaving the house in a state of panic shortly after he entered.
As the investigation progressed, it was determined that Clerge was the perpetrator of the crime. The Harrisburg police department confirmed this in their press release. Clerge was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder and possession of an instrument of a crime. He is currently being held without bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for December 23.