Four family members slain in their Jersey City, NJ home

Daily News and ABC news ^ | 01.14.05

[Coleus]

Four family members slain in their Jersey City home

JERSEY CITY, N.J.— Four family members were found slain in their home Friday morning. All were bound and gagged, and their throats were slashed, First Assistant Hudson County Prosecutor Gaetano T. Gregory said.

Jersey City police broke down the door to the home about 4 a.m. after concerned relatives said they had not heard from the family for several days, authorities said.

The victims were Hossam Armanious, 46; his wife, Amal Garas, 36; and their daughters, Sylvia Armanious, 16, and Monica Armanious, 8.

No arrests had been made as of Friday afternoon.

Investigators spent the morning at the family's house near the Hudson County Courthouse, donning white boots when entering the green, two-story wood frame home. The porch was bedecked with Christmas decorations including tinsel lights, red bows and garland wrapped around the handrail.

Hossam Armanious bought the house in November 2000 for $96,500, records show.

Ayman Garas, brother of the slain woman, told reporters his sister was "a very peaceful person."

"She's got nothing against anybody," Garas said. "I have no answers."

The younger girl attended P.S. 6, around the corner from the home, while her sister went to Dickenson High School. School authorities had no immediate comment.

"I feel very, very bad," said Mohammed Riaz Khan, who lives across the street from the victims. "They were a nice family."

"They were good people," added Betty Garro, who works as a housekeeper next door.

WNBC-TV in New York reported authorities were investigating whether a former tenant, who had had a dispute with the family, was involved.

Originally published on January 14, 2005

• Images From The Story

  Ayman Garrus, brother: "They did this for no reason, probably for the money. Take the money and leave! Why you kill everybody?"

  The brother of one of the victims was trying to get in touch with his sister for the past few days when all attempts failed. So he and his family tried to get into the house but they could not open the door. That's when the family members decided to go to the police to file a missing persons report.

  Early this morning police went into the residence and made the discovery. The bodies of 46-year-old Hossam Armanious, his wife, 36-year-old Amal Garrus, and their daughters fifteen-year-old Sylvia and 8-year-old Monica. The family had just celebrated the Catholic Orthodox Christmas and the fifteen-year-old was going to turn sixteen tomorrow.

  Ayman Garrus: "They were very peaceful. They could just go to church and go to their jobs. They had no problems with nobody at all."

  We also understand that the 8-year-old went to a school not far from here.

  At this point police do not have a suspect in custody but we understand that they do have very good leads and this may have been a tenant dispute. Neighbors and family and friends are all shocked by the horror that has occurred here this morning.
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[Coleus]

[buffyt]

God bless this family, and may He keep them in His loving embrace now and forever.

[Rennes Templar]

Didn't the Bergs live out near there?

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

The victims were Hossam Armanious, 46; his wife, Amal Garas, 36; and their daughters, Sylvia Armanious, 16, and Monica Armanious, 8.

My knee-jerk reaction is that this is a Christian Arab family living in a neighbor flowing with Muslims. I'm waiting to see the tenant dispute reveal Islamic names.

[mtbopfuyn]

The brother couldn't get the door opened so immediately called the police? That makes no sense. Who, if that concerned, wouldn't break a window or bash in the door?

[Coleus]

Jersey City, former home of Sheik abdel rahman

[Nitro]

Exactly...

I am thinking safe house gone wrong.

[peter the great]

Well said, anyway about a month ago there was a cab driver who was Coptic Orthodox, engaged to be married and was about to head off into the Seminary to become a Priest. It was a horrible story but also something that I wonder about.

[MinuteGal]

Sketchy details, but you're correct, this scenario doesn't pass the "burglary" smell test.

I note the "wife" has a different last name. Maybe that's an Islam thing?

Leni

[Nitro]

Yeah, two 'agents' are sent to sleep here...

they learn to like the USA, have a few kids...

then the pyschos show up and find them lacking in fervor.

[hoosierham]

People in these United States have and are constantly being told DON't take action yourself call 911 and let the TRAINED professionals handle it. People are told that the average person is unable to understand how to wire a light socket or fix a faucet washer,paint a room, replace a windowpane, or properly fill out a ballot.

It actually doesn't surprise me they waited for "authorities";and in this case it might have added unneeded issues to a crime investigation.

Can we "safely" assume the murdered family had no firearms to defend their lives ?

Isn't it ironic that the authorities insist on smoke detectors and recommend fire extinguishers but are terribly hostile to families having a real "life preserver" ?

[Doc Savage]

Islam, the Religion of Peace! Cut a piece here, cut a piece there!

[GOP_Proud]

Nope. West Chester, PA.

[GOP_Proud]

I'll be anxious to hear more on this one.

[Coleus]

Not sure, these people are Coptic Christians, enemies of the Muslims, many had to flee Egypt for religious freedom and to save their lives.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

What does this story have to do with Islam?

[Trinity_Tx]

Me too.

Coleus, if you remember to, or have a list, I'd love a ping on any further developments.

[Trinity_Tx]

Maybe nothing, but the manner of the crime, the area, as well as the religion and names... does make even my "religion of peace" alarms go off.

[Nitro]

Maybe that is why, or....

maybe that was a cover story.

I'm not a racist, but I do agree with...

stand a Jewish man next to an Arab and I can't tell the difference.

Or, more delicately, you can't judge a book by it's cover.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I choose to pass on the speculation until more is known.