Philly Cop's Mother Found Dead In Bathtub, 4 In Custody

PHILADELPHIA — The mother of a Philadelphia Police officer was found stabbed to death in a bathtub in a Germantown home early Wednesday morning, according to police and reports.

Police said Renee Gilyard, 64, was found stabbed to death in a bathtub in her home on the 300 block of Mechanic Street at about 1:22 a.m. Wednesday.

Gilyard was discovered when family members had not heard from her, police said.

Family members went to Gilyard's home and found her in a locked bathroom dead in the bathtub, police said.

Gilyard was found with two stab wounds to the neck as well as defensive wounds to both arms, police said.

Police said Gilyard's cell phone and Nissan Rogue vehicle were missing, and that her purse was dumped out on her bed.

Police found her vehicle and took four people into custody at about 10:46 a.m. after the vehicle crashed at 43rd and Sansom streets following a police chase.

Among the four in the vehicle was Gilyard's 17-year-old foster child who was considered missing and endangered before this morning.

All four are being treated for injuries suffered in the crash and will be questioned by police when they are released.

The foster child is considered a person of interest — but not a suspect — in her death, police said