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By Kent Larsen
LDS Family Shattered by Mother's Murder
COLUMBIA, MARYLAND -- The life of an LDS family in Howard County, Maryland
was shattered Sunday when their 25-year-old son murdered his mother and a
friend staying with them. The family says they had sought psychiatric help
for Benjamin Morgan Hawkes at a local hospital last week, but were given an
appointment for evaluation.
Police do not know what led Hawkes to murder his mother, Mary Jane Hawkes,
59, and Teena Wu, 18. The police were called to the Hawkes home by one of
Hawkes' sisters, 17-year-old Katie Hawkes, who had escaped the home. Another
unidentified woman was also in the home and escaped harm by hiding. Police
arrived and arrested Hawkes at the front door of the home at about 3:30 pm
Sunday.
Hawkes has a history of mental illness, including two incidents in which
police were called to the home. Once police arrived after Hawkes allegedly
assaulted his father and another time when he was "acting erratically." He
also has had several arrests for minor infractions, including drunk driving
and possession of marijuana.
A neighbor said that Mary Jane Hawkes was a pianist who gave private lessons
in her home. Her husband, Glen L. Hawkes, Sr., is currently serving as LDS
Bishop of their ward, according to the Washington Post report of the murder.
Source:
Family Had Sought Help for Md. Slaying Suspect
Washington Post pgB02 13Feb01 D2
By Maureen O'Hagan and Mary Otto: Washington Post Staff Writers
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