I was at work when my dad rang & asked me to come home – my mum and sister didn’t survive the night

I was at work when my dad rang & asked me to come home – my mum and sister didn’t survive the night

In a story that chills the heart, a woman named Michelle has bravely shared the devastating moment she learned her father committed an unspeakable act: the murder of her mother and sister. The details, revealed in a candid interview, paint a picture of a seemingly normal family life shattered by an act of unimaginable violence.

Michelle's father, Anthony Marcus, would later be charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths. The horror unfolded in June 2014, leaving a community reeling and a family irrevocably scarred.

The day began ordinarily enough. Michelle, who was working as a shift manager at a store, received a phone call and a text from her father, urgently requesting her to come home. Initially, she feared he was experiencing another heart issue, as he had a history of cardiac problems. Little did she know, the situation was far more sinister.

The victims were Sun Marcus, 50, and Samantha Marcus, 17, Michelle's mother and sister. Both were found dead inside their home in Waukegan. Tragically, Samantha used a wheelchair, making her particularly vulnerable.

The details that emerged were chilling. Anthony Marcus had strangled both Sun and Samantha. Even the family's dog was found dead in the home, a silent witness to the horrific events.

Woman in black dress talking into a microphone, with the caption "While I'm panicking,"

In a disturbing twist, Anthony Marcus called 911 after the murders, confessing to his crimes and stating his intention to take his own life. When the police arrived, they found him in the basement with self-inflicted wrist wounds. The bodies of his wife and daughter were also discovered in the basement, a scene of unimaginable horror.

Michelle's fiancé arrived at the house before she did, only to be confronted by a chaotic scene. Police had already cordoned off the area with crime scene tape. He learned that Michelle's father had been taken into custody just minutes before his arrival.

Adding another layer of pain, Michelle later discovered a note left by her father on the doorstep. The note was addressed to her, expressing his feelings of failure. "I'm sorry your dad is a failure in everything," it read, a haunting testament to his state of mind.

In her interview, Michelle emphasized how normal their family life seemed. She described her parents as strict but not overly so. "There really weren't any, I guess you could say, red flags," she said. "No, there's none. We had a normal life." This detail makes the tragedy even more perplexing and disturbing.

However, there were some underlying stressors in the family. Michelle's father had recently quit his job, creating financial strain. He may have felt overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for a child with significant medical needs.

Anthony Marcus mugshot.

On the day of the murders, Anthony Marcus had asked Michelle about her finances, inquiring about her salary and ability to contribute to household expenses. While she found the questions odd, she didn't suspect anything was amiss at the time.

After attending church with her mother and sister, Michelle went to work as usual. It was during her shift that she received the urgent call from her father, prompting her to rush home. The police intercepted her, directing her to the police station instead. There, she received the devastating news.

The police informed her that her mother and sister were dead and that her father was in custody, believed to be responsible for their deaths. Michelle's reaction was one of shock and disbelief. "All I remember was screaming," she said, a visceral response to the incomprehensible tragedy.

In the aftermath of the murders, Michelle struggled to understand what had happened. She sent her father a letter a couple of months after the tragedy, but she hasn't seen him in person for about a year. She grapples with the question of why he committed such a heinous act, but she's not sure if knowing the reason would bring her any peace.

Her father claims he doesn't remember the day of the murders, a statement that raises further questions and complicates her search for understanding. This lack of clarity adds to the profound grief and confusion she experiences.

A two-panel image shows a woman with graying hair speaking in the top panel, and a younger woman with long dark hair listening in the bottom panel.

One of the questions Michelle is frequently asked is whether she believes her father called her home that day to "finish the job." It's a chilling thought, and one she can't definitively answer. Even her father claims he doesn't know his intentions.

The ambiguity surrounding her father's motives continues to haunt Michelle. The lack of a clear explanation leaves her with a lingering sense of unease and uncertainty.

This tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the hidden complexities within families and the potential for unimaginable violence to erupt even in seemingly normal environments. It underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues and providing support to individuals and families facing financial and emotional stress.

Michelle's courage in sharing her story is commendable. By speaking out about her experience, she hopes to raise awareness about domestic violence and the importance of seeking help when needed.

Her willingness to be vulnerable and open about her trauma can serve as an inspiration to others who have experienced similar tragedies. It demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of finding healing and meaning even in the face of unimaginable loss.

The full interview on the We’re All Insane YouTube account provides further insight into Michelle's journey and her ongoing process of healing.

While the search for answers may never be fully resolved, Michelle's story stands as a testament to the enduring power of love, forgiveness, and the pursuit of peace in the aftermath of unspeakable tragedy.