Oxford man accused of killing one child, wounding another, then killing himself

By Evan Allen, Gal Tziperman Lotan and Derek J. Anderson, Globe Correspondents

OXFORD – An Oxford man shot his two young children and then turned his gun on himself Saturday night, killing his 7-year-old daughter and leaving his 9-year-old son in very serious condition with a gunshot wound to the head, according to Worcester County District Attorney.

Daryl Benway, 41, and his daughter Abigail were found dead in the master bedroom of Benway’s 128 Main St. residence by authorities around 5 p.m., said Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.

Owen, Benway’s 9-year-old son, was found in the kitchen and transported to UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center in Worcester in very serious condition, Early said.

Kelleen Benway, Daryl’s wife, came home after the shooting, saw the cruisers and television crews, and was directed to the hospitial, where she was informed of the incident. Benway and Kelleen had been separated for three to four weeks, but were still married, Early said.

Kelleen Benway has a 25-year-0ld daughter from another relationship. That daughter was not present at the scene, but met her mother at the hospital.

The incident is under investigation by Oxford police, the State Police assigned to the Worcester DA’s office, and the State Police crime scene unit, according to Early.