By Geri Gibbons
A Pike County man accused of brutally murdering his parents this week was found naked and dazed on their back deck, covered in blood, police said.
Colin J. Winkler, 32, of Milford, faces two felony counts of criminal homicide in the deaths of Jacqueline Winkler and Jeffrey Winkler at their Dingman Township home.
At about 5 p.m. Tuesday, state police were called to the home on Larkspur Lane to assist with a mental health emergency.
Shane Winkler told county dispatchers his brother, Colin, was in the midst of a psychotic break. Shane Winkler said he lived near his parents’ house and was driving there as he spoke with police. In an interview with police, he said he received a phone call from his mother, who said his brother was choking the dog and had thrown her on the ground.
Police said Shane Winkler arrived at his parents’ home, where he spotted a bloody knife driven into one of the steps and grabbed it. He entered through the back door and found his parents’ bodies in the kitchen. He then drove to a nearby area, along with a family friend who had accompanied him, because he was afraid his brother had a gun, police said.
Troopers responded to the residence and found Colin Winkler on the back deck, naked and covered in blood. They went inside the home and found the bodies of Jacqueline and Jeffrey Winkler in the kitchen.
Colin Winkler refused to comply with troopers’ commands to get down on the ground. He was shocked with a Taser and taken into custody.
When he was shown his parents bodies, he did not deny killing them, police said.
He was evaluated by emergency medical personnel and taken to the state police barracks. He told troopers he suffered from several mental health conditions and could not clearly remember what happened, charges read.
Police noted both bodies had severe stab wounds and lacerations.
Colin Winkler is charged with criminal homicide and aggravated assault in the deaths’ of each of his parents. He remains at Pike County Prison without bail.
