Authorities on Sunday morning were looking for a man who they allege killed and woman and left one of her sons on life support and another with serious injuries after attacking them at their eastern Washington home.
Spokane Valley police said the suspect, 39-year-old Jan R. Demeerleer, may be a former boyfriend or ex-husband of the woman.
The attack happened around 3 a.m. Sunday, Sgt. Dave Reagan said. Officers arrived at the home to find the woman dead and two boys — ages 9 and 17 — hurt.
The 17-year-old boy told police he awoke to a man slashing his neck with a knife. The teen called 911, telling dispatchers "his stepdad had attempted to cut his throat and had killed him mom," Reagan said.
Reagan said the 9-year-old boy suffered a severe head injury. Both boys were taken to a Spokane hospital, where the 9-year-old was placed on life support.
Police said the 9-year-old has a twin brother, who was uninjured.
The victims' names were not released.
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