NJ Man Threatened To Kill Wife, Her Family Before Triple Murder, Records Show

BERKELEY, NJ — The man who shot and killed his estranged wife and her parents previously threatened to murder her and her family, according to court documents obtained by Patch.

There was a history of domestic violence calls to the Fairwood Avenue home where Vaughn Stewart shot and killed Allan Russell, Michelle Russell and Deonna Stewart before turning the gun on himself, according to the Asbury Park Press. Three domestic violence calls were responded to in the past two years, the Asbury Park Press reported.

In one 911 call, an Ocean County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher told a Berkeley Township dispatcher that there was a history of domestic calls at the house, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Read more: 911 Call Reveals Plea Of Berkeley Murder-Suicide Victim

On March 10, Stewart, 37, entered said home and shot and killed Allan Russell, 61, Michelle Russell, 60, authorities said. He then chased down Deonna Stewart, the 38-year-old mother of his children, and killed her outside of the home, authorities said.

He was found dead inside of the home with a gunshot wound, officials said.

Just last month, Stewart told his wife he was going to "murder her and her family" during a fight at a Quick Chek in Cranford, according to police documents.

On Feb. 11, he was charged with terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment. He struck Deonna Stewart with a closed fist "numerous times," shoved her to the ground and hit her with his cell phone, according to documents. She also had a braid of hair ripped out of her head.

Stewart was not held after his arrest.

The Stewarts' three children were at home at the time of the shootings. They are now in the state's custody.

READ MORE: NJ Man Kills Ex, Her Parents And Himself With His 3 Children In The Home, Prosecutors Say