Former Nazareth-Area Couple Killed in S.C.; Son Charged

A former Bushkill Township man has been charged with murder after his parents were found shot to death outside their home in South Carolina, according to published reports.

Richard Mahorsky, 71, and Ruth Marion Mahorsky, 70, were found dead Monday by a Fairfield County deputy performing a welfare check, WIS News 10 reports. Co-workers called authorities when the two did not show up for work.

The couple's son, 40-year-old Matthew Mahorsky, allegedly shot his parents outside their Fairfield County home with a high-powered rifle, the report says.

Richard Mahorsky's brother, Ronald, said his nephew had suffered from mental health issues and his parents were trying to help him, according to a report in The Morning Call.

Richard and Ruth Mahorsky previously lived on W. Beil Avenue in Bushkill Township. The couple moved to South Carolina in 1987 when Richard Mahorsky was transferred to the Mack Trucks plant in Winnsboro, S.C., according to The Morning Call report.

Richard Mahorsky's online obituary says he worked at Mack Trucks for 30 years, retiring in 2002. He was a gifted artist who loved being creative and spent endless hours working and sculpting in his shop.

Richard Mahorsky had been profiled by the Herald Independent for his knack of turning tools into yard art.

His wife, meanwhile, was an avid gardener who could brighten any room with her joyful attitude, sense of humor and bright smile, according to her online obituary.