Oberlin grad, musician murders mother, grandparents in brutal bludgeoning: Police

The suspect also allegedly murdered his grandparents’ caretaker, who lived at the Groton home

The four people bludgeoned to death in a home in Groton, Massachusetts, last week were family members of the murder suspect, a recent graduate of the prestigious Oberlin College and talented musician.

The Boston Globe reports that Orion Krause, 22, is suspected of murdering his mother, his grandparents, and his grandparents’ caretaker at their Groton home.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan told the newspaper the names and ages of the four victims:

Krause reportedly lived in Maine with his parents and abruptly left home on Thursday, leading his family on a search. He contacted his mother on Friday morning and told her he was in Boston, and asked her to pick him up. When she did, they reportedly drove to her parents’ home in Groton. Later that day, Krause allegedly attacked all four people at the home before going, naked, to a neighbor’s house to report what he had done.

Elizabeth “Buffy” Krause, 60, who was Krause’s mother; his grandfather, 88-year-old F. Danby Lackey III; his grandmother, Elizabeth Lackey, 85; and the elder couple’s caretaker, 68-year-old Bertha Mae Parker.

A plea of not guilty has been entered on behalf of Krause, who awaits a mental evaluation, as reported by WABI. A motive for the quadruple homicide is not yet known.

Feature photo: Facebook/Orion Krause