Couple and two young children found dead in New York basement with throats slashed in 'possible quadruple homicide'

Troy police chief James Tedesco said: 'Only a person of savagery would do something like this'

A couple and two young children have been found dead in a basement in Troy, New York State with their throats slashed.

The victims, a same-sex couple aged 36 and 22 were found in a basement alongside the older woman’s 11-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter on 27 December in the Lansingburgh neighbourhood of the city.

Police have described the case as a "possible quadruple homicide" and say the family were targeted. However the motive remains unclear.

Troy police Chief James Tedesco told reporters: “I have not seen savagery like this.”

During a news conference on Wednesday he said: “There are indications at the crime scene that this was not a random act. We are certainly appealing to people in the community that would have any knowledge as to what may have transpired there to contact us as soon as possible.”

He added that there was no threat of imminent danger to the community.

The building’s property manager discovered the bodies on Tuesday after relatives asked them to check on the family. They had become concerned after their calls to the property remained unanswered, reports the Times Union.

Tedesco said he had not experienced a crime like this in over 40 years: “Only a person of savagery would do something like this. Nobody that’s been involved in this case is going to forget this.”

Members of Albany’s Victory Christian Church are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved.

Pastor Jackie Robinson told the Albany Times Union that an older son was not at home when the killings occurred.

He added that members of the local community, including those who knew the children, had been distraught at the deaths of the victims.

He said: “Kids are traumatised. A few had nightmares since this happened. A lot of grown folk are traumatised because the monster is still out there.

“We’ll try as hard as we can to understand, even though there is no justification for it.”