Affidavit in suburban Massachusetts mother's alleged slaying of children reveals gruesome details
Janette MacAusland, 49, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, is accused of murdering her two young children, Kai, 7, and Ella, 6, by strangling them in their home before attempting suicide and fleeing to Vermont. According to an arrest affidavit, she told her aunt she wanted the family to die together, then confessed to police that she killed the children and left them in her bed. MacAusland was arrested in Vermont, waived extradition, and will face two counts of murder in Massachusetts. The case emerged amid an ongoing custody dispute with her husband, who had filed for divorce in October.
- ▪Janette MacAusland is accused of strangling her 7-year-old son Kai and 6-year-old daughter Ella in their Wellesley, Massachusetts home on April 24, 2026.
- ▪She fled to Vermont, where she was arrested and told authorities she had tried to kill herself after the killings.
- ▪An affidavit states MacAusland told her aunt, 'I wanted the three of us to go to God together, but it didn't work,' before confessing to police.
- ▪MacAusland was charged with two counts of murder and waived her right to contest extradition back to Massachusetts.
- ▪Her husband had filed for divorce in October and was seeking custody of the children at the time of the alleged killings.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Crime Affidavit in suburban Massachusetts mother's alleged slaying of children reveals gruesome details Janette MacAusland, 49, allegedly strangled Kai, 7, and Ella, 6, in their Massachusetts family home By Peter D'Abrosca Fox News Published April 28, 2026 12:32pm EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 28 Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Fox News.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Fox News
