Mass. man accused of strangling a mother to death with electrical cord in front of her 2 children

BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. (TCD) -- A 35-year-old man from Massachusetts reportedly attempted suicide after fatally strangling his 31-year-old "paramour" in front of her two children.

According to a news release from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, on Wednesday, June 8, shortly after 5 p.m., Northampton Township Police officers responded to the 12000 block of Clark Court to a report of a suicidal person. Authorities reportedly tried knocking on the door but were "alerted to movement inside the residence and met by a 4-year-old child, who was observed to be covered in blood."

The D.A.’s Office said the 4-year-old girl was transported to a safe location and told authorities that Thadius McGrath killed her mother before shooting himself.

Police reportedly went into the home and removed a second child who was around 1 year old. Inside the home, the D.A.’s Office said authorities located a deceased woman, Samantha Rementer, on the bedroom floor.

Rementer was found with an electrical cord wrapped around her neck that was connected to a blood-covered floor lamp, according to the criminal complaint. Rementer also reportedly suffered blunt force trauma to the face.

An autopsy report revealed Rementer died of ligature strangulation, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, according to the D.A.’s Office.

Upon further search of the home, police reportedly found McGrath suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face, and a 9mm pistol was recovered from the scene. The D.A.’s Office said McGrath was transported to the hospital to treat his injuries.

During an interview with the 4-year-old girl, she reportedly revealed that her mother and McGrath began arguing, and McGrath began to beat and strangle her mother.

McGrath’s father was also interviewed and told investigators that his son admitted to him that he fatally strangled Rementer, the complaint alleges.

McGrath was charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, recklessly endangering another person, and possession of an instrument of crime, according to the D.A.’s Office.

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

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