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Englewood man accused of killing and dismembering family: "One of the most gruesome crime scenes they've ever been a part of"

CBS Colorado 3/29/2023 CBSColorado.com Staff

The Englewood Police Department says a man has been taken into custody after two of his family members were discovered dismembered inside an apartment. 

At approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday, the department received a report from Reginald Maclaren, 81, who said his wife and adult daughter were murdered. He told authorities that he believes the suspect used a hammer.

Englewood Police Department © Provided by CBS Colorado Englewood Police Department

Investigators responded to 901 Englewood Parkway and located Maclaren inside the apartment. When officers entered the apartment, they found two victims inside large trashcans that were on the floor of the living room and kitchen area.

Tracy Jones, division chief of investigations at Englewood Police Department, described a brutal scene at a news conference Tuesday.

"Some of our detectives have been detectives for 20 years and they describe this as one of the most gruesome crime scenes they've ever been a part of," he said.

During the course of the investigation, detectives determined the victims were both killed with an axe and one of them was dismembered with a saw.

Detectives established probable cause to arrest Maclaren for the murders and was taken into custody.

When detectives interviewed Maclaren, he admitted to the crime and revealed that he killed his family members because he was in fear of the cost of living. 

Detectives reveal Maclaren believed he had to do it because he could no longer afford to pay the rent and didn't want his family to suffer through homelessness while having no regrets on the crime. 

He allegedly carried out the murders the day the family was supposed to vacate the home as they faced eviction, according to Englewood police. 

Maclaren will have a court hearing this week in Arapahoe County District Court.

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