Authorities on Thursday publicly identified the three victims of a machete attack in a downtown Scranton apartment building earlier this week.
In a statement, Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher said the women who died in the “brutal murder” at the Jermyn Apartments are Linda P. Fortuna, 61, and Terry M. Muller, 59, a military veteran.
Marilyn Joan Waller, 66, remains in critical condition at Geisinger Community Medical Center, Gallagher said.
Muller’s service golden retriever, Nayla, 18 months old, also was killed.
Police charged Michael Willie Marquis Woods, 38, with criminal homicide and related counts. Woods remains in the county prison awaiting a Dec. 23 preliminary hearing. He and and the women lived in neighboring apartments on the Jermyn's sixth floor.
Woods told police he smoked the hallucinogenic drug PCP before attacking the women, according to an arrest affidavit. Gallagher said Wednesday police are still investigating whether that’s true.
Most of the attack was recorded on the building’s security cameras. Gallagher has called the attack “horrific” and “pure evil."
Survivor's daughter launches GoFundMe
Waller's daughter, Marissa Dankulich, created a GoFundMe to raise money to help her mother recover.
"As her only child, I will be needing to miss work to help with appointments, and more," Dankulich wrote. "In addition, I do not know what my mom will need, and I must be financially stable to help her."
Dankulich said her mother had lived at the Jermyn more than 10 years.
"Her ten-year-plus home suddenly turned into a nightmare I do not wish on anyone," she wrote.
She described her mother as "a vibrant, loving person who brings joy to everyone around her."
"She loves playing video games, going to wrestling shows, exploring thrift stores, and spending time with her beloved cat, Bubbles," Dankulich wrote. "Her unique spirit and kindness have touched many lives, and she means the world to me and our family."
