In a shocking incident that has left a community in mourning, a Palestinian activist and father of four, Maher Kassem, 63, has been charged with the brutal murder of his wife and three daughters in their Tinley Park, Illinois home.
The motive behind this heinous act remains unclear, although prosecutors have indicated that family disputes and financial disagreements may have played a part.
The victims of the January 21 quadruple homicide have been identified as Majeda Kassem, 53, Hanan Kassem, 24, and 25-year-old twins Halema and Zahia Kassem. The tragedy unfolded following a heated argument between Kassem and one of his daughters, which escalated when his wife and other daughters attempted to intervene, as reported by CBS News.
In a chilling sequence of events, Kassem is alleged to have shot his wife seven times before callously stepping over her body to fire at his daughters. His 19-year-old son, who was unharmed, walked into the living room just in time to witness the murder of his third sister. He has since been named as a witness in the case.
During his questioning, Kassem was recorded making several voluntary statements. Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Scott Clark quoted Kassem as saying about his wife, "She treats me like a [expletive] dog." He also expressed his frustration over his family's lack of appreciation for his efforts, stating, "I worked 40 years," and "I worked all my life to give my family a better home, and they treat me like [expletive]."
Tinley Park Police Department Chief Tom Tilton confirmed that the family had no prior interactions with law enforcement before this horrific domestic violence incident. The victims, who were of Palestinian descent and practiced the Muslim faith, were remembered by neighbors as "very intelligent" individuals with "very high goals in life."
In the wake of the tragedy, community members gathered at the Mosque Foundation in nearby Bridgeview to offer prayers for the four women. A funeral service held on Tuesday drew a large crowd of mourners, reflecting the deep sense of loss felt by those who knew the victims.
Login