Woman, Son Stabbed to Death in NJ Home

Victim calls 9-1-1 just minutes before he is killed: sources

A woman and her adult son were found stabbed to death inside their Hammonton, N.J. home Thursday morning, authorities said.

The Major Crimes Unit arrived at the house on Madison Avenue at about 6:30 a.m. to find 64-year-old Diana Patterson and her 29-year-old son Ryan Patterson dead with stab wounds.

Ryan had apparently called 9-1-1 call around 5:30 a.m. as the crime was unfolding, sources told NBC Philadelphia.

It wasn't clear what he told authorities.

Ryan was found in a bedroom while his mother was found in the kitchen near the back door, sources said.

An autopsy report released Friday revealed that both victims died from multiple sharp force trauma wounds. Both of their deaths were ruled as homicide.

Investigators say Ryan suffered over 20 stab wounds and Diana over 10.

Neighbors told NBC Philadelphia that Diana and her son were the only people living in the house.

“I don’t know who would even do that,” Ryan’s ex-girlfriend Amanda Dirienzi said. “His mom and him are such sweethearts. They would give you the shirt off their back.”

Ryan was a popular motocross driver in South Jersey.

"Ryan was true moto to the bone as he always talked about everything from bike setups to the track and everything in between," said a tribute posted to MXPTV.com. "You can always see him at the track helping other riders out and throw out that million dollar smile when you run into him. He’ll be deeply missed here at MXPTV and at all motocross tracks around. RIP Ryan."

Hundreds gathered at a vigil that friends put together for Ryan and his mom Thursday night at the Atco Raceway.

"I hope they catch whoever did it and I'm very concerned about the rest of the family," said friend Mike Jakoweiczuk.

Diana had two other grown sons and a daughter, according to friends.

Neighbors of the Pattersons were scared that such a horrific crime could happen in their quiet neighborhood.

"It’s very scary and sad to know they lost their lives so horribly," neighbor Lynda Paulus said.

There were no immediate arrests and no word of a motive from authorities.

Investigators didn't say if there were any signs of forced entry.


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