A shocking incident unfolded earlier this week in the heart of Scranton, where a violent machete attack claimed the lives of two women and left another critically injured. The scene at the Jermyn Apartments has drawn significant attention as authorities work to understand the horrific event.
The Lackawanna County District Attorney, Brian Gallagher, has identified the deceased as Linda P. Fortuna, aged 61, and Terry M. Muller, a 59-year-old military veteran. Meanwhile, Marilyn Joan Waller, 66, is currently fighting for her life at Geisinger Community Medical Center.
Adding to the tragedy, Muller’s service dog, an 18-month-old golden retriever named Nayla, was also killed during the attack. The accused, Michael Willie Marquis Woods, 38, faces charges of criminal homicide and related offenses. He is presently held in county prison, awaiting a preliminary hearing set for December 23. Notably, Woods and the victims were neighbors on the sixth floor of the Jermyn Apartments.
According to an arrest affidavit, Woods has claimed that he smoked PCP, a hallucinogenic drug, before carrying out the attack. However, authorities are still investigating the veracity of this statement. The brutal assault was captured on the building’s security cameras, with Gallagher describing the event as “horrific” and “pure evil.”
Survivor’s daughter launches GoFundMe
In the wake of the attack, Marissa Dankulich, Waller’s daughter, has taken steps to support her mother’s recovery by initiating a GoFundMe campaign. Dankulich expressed the challenges ahead, noting, “As her only child, I will be needing to miss work to help with appointments, and more. In addition, I do not know what my mom will need, and I must be financially stable to help her.”
Dankulich shared that her mother, who has been a resident of the Jermyn for over a decade, now faces an unimaginable situation. She described Waller as “a vibrant, loving person who brings joy to everyone around her,” adding that her mother enjoys activities such as playing video games, attending wrestling shows, and exploring thrift stores. Dankulich highlighted her mother’s unique spirit and the impact she has on those around her, emphasizing the importance of community support in this difficult time.
