Colorado Man Murdered, Dismembered Wife And Daughter With Ax To Escape Homelessness, Police Say

A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday night for a Colorado mother and daughter allegedly murdered by a head of the household with an ax, according to authorities.

A statement from Englewood Police says Reginald Maclaren, 81, reported the killing of two family members last Saturday evening.

Maclaren reportedly claimed his wife and daughter were killed with a hammer, and he “believed” he knew who did it. Police determined the weapon was an ax.

KUSA-TV reports police found the bodies of Bethany Maclaren, 70, and Ruth Maclaren, 35, in trash cans in the living room of their apartment. One of them was dismembered with a handsaw as well.

The family was supposed to leave the apartment last Saturday, but they reportedly lacked the money to move elsewhere, officials said.

Police say Maclaren told officers he killed the women because the family was about to become homeless, and “they are in a better place" now.

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The wife also was known by a Nepali first name, Pavitra. People at Wednesday night's vigil said she may have been a native of India.

Reginald Maclaren is held without bond on first-degree murder charges, authorities said.