Tragedy as Irish American boy, 12, stabs his mother, kills his twin sister in Connecticut

Brigid Maire Curtin's funeral will be held this weekend

Tragedy struck an Irish American family in Connecticut last month when a 12-year-old boy stabbed his mother and killed his twin sister.

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ABC News reports on what people are calling “an unspeakable tragedy” that occurred at the Murphy-Curtin home in West Hartford, Connecticut in December.

According to a statement from the West Hartford Police Department, Janemarie Murphy, 56, called 911 in the afternoon of December 17 "saying she and her daughter had been stabbed by her son.”

"Officers arrived on scene and located the two victims and the suspect," the statement reads.

"Officers, later joined by paramedics from the West Hartford Fire Department, immediately began emergency medical efforts to treat the mother and daughter."

Janemarie and her daughter Brigid Maire were transported to nearby St. Francis Hospital, where Brigid, who suffered stab wounds to her neck and torso, was later pronounced dead.

Brigid’s twin brother, the alleged suspect, was taken to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center with minor injuries before being moved to a juvenile detention center.

The name of the alleged killer has not been released, but he has been charged with murder with special circumstances and first-degree assault, as well as assault in the stabbing of his mother, Janemarie Murphy.

The murder with special circumstances charge was filed because the victim was younger than 16.

The Hartford Courant reports that Chuck Coursey, acting as a spokesperson for the family, delivered a statement that said: “The family is so grateful for the outpouring of kindness and support they have received."

"Jane has been moved out of the intensive care unit and it is expected that she will be moved to a rehabilitation facility shortly where she will begin the long and difficult process of healing. The family asks for continued privacy and prayers.”

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The juvenile detention center that the alleged killer is currently being held in is not considered a long-term solution. Since the suspect is under the age of 14, the potential punishments are limited to either a maximum of 30 months probation supervision or potentially being sent to a children’s psychiatric facility.

His court case will be kept secret, says The Hartford Courant.

The obituary for 12-year-old Brigid recalls a honors student who was active in her community, adored her friends, and loved traveling with her family, especially to Ireland.  Her private funeral will be held on January 12.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brigid's name to "The Westmoor Park Fund," 119 Flagg Road, West Hartford, CT 06117.