Man Admits Murdering Collingswood Sisters On New Year's Eve: Cops

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ - A South Jersey man has admitted to killing his ex-girlfriend and her step-sister in Collingswood on New Year’s Eve of last year, authorities announced Monday evening.

Mark Lyczak, 45, of Medford, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 48-year-old Colleen Brownell and her 41-year-old step-sister Alysia McCloskey, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office announced. He also admitted to one count of second-degree aggravated assault in the stabbing of a third woman, who was his girlfriend at the time.

He now faces 47 years in New Jersey State prison for each count of murder and 10 years in New Jersey State prison for the aggravated assault. All three sentences would run concurrently, and he would be required to serve at least 40 years of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2019.

Lyczak and Brownell were dating, but they broke up after Lyczak became overbearing and Brownell became scared. In a lawsuit filed last week, the family claimed Lyczak threatened to kill Brownell while swinging a hammer at her. The family also claims he attempted to strangle her multiple times, pushed and shoved her, held her against her will, threatened verbally and in public and used derogatory terms when referring to her.

All this resulted in Brownell filing for a restraining order on July 24, 2017. She moved in with McCloskey, and ultimately intended to move to Florida. However, authorities allege that on Dec. 30, 2017, Lyczak went to their home with a third woman, and he ultimately stabbed all three.

Collingswood police who were called to the scene found McCloskey laying on the front porch suffering from multiple stab wounds.They found Brownell on the living room floor inside the home, also suffering from multiple stab wounds.

Brownell and McCloskey died as a result of their injuries on the scene, and police found Lyczak on top of the third woman, apparently stabbing her. That woman was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was treated and eventually released. Authorities have not identified her.

Lyczak was subsequently arrested and charged. He has remained in jail since. Police who responded to the scene said they recognized Lyczak from a previous domestic violence incident.

The family of Brownell and McCloskey were in court at the time of the plea, according to authorities. They had filed a lawsuit last week in an attempt to prevent Lyczak from inheriting Brownell’s retirement savings. He had been named as her sole beneficiary. Read more here: Family Trying To Stop Accused Killer From Getting Victim’s Money

A GoFundMe account that was launched to aid two sons McCloskey left behind raised just more than its $20,000 goal. Read more: Collingswood Stabbing Victim Left Behind 2 Sons

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner. Image via The Alisia McCloskey Family Fund GoFundMe page.