Mentally Disabled Man, Caretaker Found Dead in New Castle

Police say a mentally disabled man and his live-in caretaker were bludgeoned to death inside his home in New Castle, Delaware Saturday.

Family members identified the victims as 48-year-old Joseph Taylor and 52-year-old Mary Dale. Police say they were found in separate parts of Taylor's home on the 4600 block of New Castle Avenue about 4:20 p.m.

Taylor’s sister, Margie, told NBC10 she came to the home after she was not able to reach Dale. When she arrived she says she smelled gas, went inside, and found both victims dead. Investigators say no gas pilots were lit.

"My heart is broken," Taylor said. "God knows I love my brother and I'm going to miss him. He really didn't deserve to die like this."

Police are calling the deaths suspicious.

"The bodies were discovered in separate parts of the room," said Gary Fournier of the Delaware State Police. "They also, when they entered the house, discovered that there was gas that was being emitted through the house."