Crime & Safety
Burlington County Man Murdered Collingswood Step-Sisters: Police
Mark Lyczak, is also accused of trying to kill another woman on Saturday. He is accused of stabbing all three.
COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — A Burlington County man has been charged with murder in the deaths of two Collingswood women and with the attempted murder of a third woman on Saturday, Dec. 30, authorities announced.
Mark Lyczak, 44, of Medford, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree attempted murder, according to Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo.
Neighbors heard screaming from a home on the 100 block of East Narberth Terrace just after 5 p.m. and called 911. Collingswood police found two women who had been stabbed to death and another who had been seriously wounded, according to the prosecutor’s office.
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Colleen Brownell, 48, and Alysia McCloskey, 41, were pronounced deceased at the scene. The third victim, identified only as a 45-year-old woman, was rushed to a local hospital where she remained hospitalized Sunday morning.
Lyczak was on the scene when police arrived. He was known to the victims, who were step-sisters, according to the prosecutor’s office. The office didn't elaborate on the relationship between the women and Lyczak on Sunday.
Find out what's happening in Collingswoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Brownell and Lyczak were dating, but Brownell left him when he became overbearing and was preparing to move out of state, friends told njpen.com. The third victim is reportedly Lyczak's current girlfriend. Brownell had recently moved in with McCloskey.
One of the victims was found in the house, and another was found on the front porch of the home, which was decorated in Christmas lights for the holiday season, according to 6 ABC.
Lyczak was arrested and taken to the Collingswood Police Department, where he was charged, according to the prosecutor's office.
He was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a pretrial detention hearing. Under recent Criminal Justice Reform rules, the court may order he be detained or released with conditions.
All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Image via Shutterstock
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