Man Killed Northampton Mom In Front Of Children: DA

HOLLAND, PA — A Massachusetts man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a Northampton Township mother in early June.

Thadius William McGrath, 35, of Chatham, Massachusetts, was charged with murder of the first degree, murder of the third degree, endangering the welfare of a child, recklessly endangering another person, and possession of an instrument of crime in connection with the killing of Samantha Jean Rementer, 31.

Rementer was found dead in her home on June 8. Her two young children were present at the time, officials said.

On that day, Northampton Township police were called to Clark Court for a report of a suicidal person. After several attempts to enter the home, police said they found Rementer's 4-year-old child covered in blood.

According to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, the child told police that her mother was dead and that McGrath, who ended up shooting himself, had killed her.

Rementer's 1-year-old child was found safe and removed from the home.

Police found Rementer dead on the bathroom floor with blunt force trauma to the head and a ligature around her neck. Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck announced that she had been killed as a result of 'ligature strangulation'.

Police found McGrath with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face. He was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center and then transferred to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for treatment. He survived his injuries.

The Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center interviewed Rementer's four-year-old, who told investigators that Remeneter and McGrath had gotten into an argument before she was killed, according to prosecutors.

McGrath was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Leonard Brown, denied bail, and remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility.

"This man murdered Ms. Rementer in front her children, then unsuccessfully tried to take his own life," said District Attorney Matt Weintraub. "I cannot think of two more cowardly acts. He will now be made to pay an exacting price for his crimes."