Police release identity of couple, young children killed in upstate New York

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Troy Police Department (NEW YORK) — Police have identified the 5-year-old girl, 11-year-old boy and same-sex couple found dead in an upstate New York apartment in a killing described by the police chief as “savagery.”

The slain children were Shanise Myers, 5, and her brother, Jeremiah Myers, 11, the Troy Police Department said on Thursday.

The children’s mother, Shanta Myers, 36, was also killed, as well as Brandi Mells, 22, who police said was in a relationship with Shanta Myers.

The four were found early Tuesday afternoon in a basement apartment in Troy, about 8 miles outside of Albany, police said.

Police said Shanta Myers had a third child who wasn’t living at the apartment. Police did not give that child’s age.

Troy Police Chief John Tedesco said the killings aren’t believed to be a random act, adding that police do not believe there is any imminent danger to the public.

At a news conference Wednesday, Tedesco urged anyone with information to contact the police.

“The emotions of a police officer are something you repress because there is a job to be done,” Tedesco said, adding that no one involved in this case will ever forget it.

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