Slaying of wife, daughter described in court papers

BROCKTON -- Mark W. Benoit sat on the couch Thursday morning in the apartment he shared with his wife, Cynthia, and their 9-year-old daughter, Sarah Ann, and was watching television when he "snapped," he told investigators.

Depression had been building since he could not refill his Prozac prescription, and he was worried about how to feed his family, the 42-year-old told State Police.

"Mr. Benoit stated he choked his wife, Cynthia, while his daughter was in bed sleeping," Trooper Robert F. Clements Jr., wrote in a report filed in Brockton District Court yesterday. "He then went to Sarah's room and choked her. . . . He then used a razor and cut his arm and wrist."

Yesterday, a disheveled Benoit pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, and Judge Paul Dawley ordered him held without bail.

Benoit's defense lawyer, Joan Maffeo Fund, declined to comment.

A five-page report by Clements filed by Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz's office detailed the final chilling moments of the 41-year-old mother and her young daughter, who was in third grade.

Around 9:40 a.m. Thursday, Mark Benoit called Brockton police from the family's apartment on Nilsson Street and told them he had killed his wife and daughter. He planned to kill himself, he told the 911 dispatcher.

"Something bad happened here," Benoit is quoted as telling police dispatcher Robert Celia. "My wife and daughter are dead. . . . I just want to kill myself. . . .. They're going to throw the book at me when they get here."

Police surrounded the house. As Benoit continued talking with the dispatcher, officers arrested him without incident. He was treated for slash wounds at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, but was released for his court appearance yesterday. Benoit talked 17 minutes with the dispatcher, police said.

He left a four-page note with his wife's body, explaining his reasons for the killings, and a second note in the bathroom complaining about his wife and their marriage.

Benoit told police he killed his daughter because he feared for how strangers would care for her. "He did not want to leave his daughter alone with people because they can't be trusted," the report said. "Benoit stated he was sorry, but they were better off because they never had any food and that they were always hungry."

The Benoits had been homeless after being evicted from a Norwell apartment and had moved into the Brockton unit in January as part of the state's scattered-site housing plan for homeless families, officials have said.

"He was not exactly sure what triggered him to do it," police said after two hospital interviews. "He stated he 'snapped.' "

Relatives of the Benoits could not be reached for comment. An 18-year old son is living in Norwell, where he is a senior at the high school, said Donald J. Beaudette, Norwell school superintendent.

Beaudette said Sarah Benoit attended Grace F. Cole elementary school from kindergarten until late last year. "She always had a smile," he said, citing conversations with staff members at the school. "She touched the faculty and students very deeply."

Authorities initially believed that the victims had been stabbed to death because Sarah's neck and face were covered with blood and a bloodstained knife was found near her head. But autopsies suggest both were strangled, and Benoit told police he killed them with his bare hands.

"Benoit stated that he had caused all of his wounds with a razor and he had not cut anyone in the house," according to the police report.

The area near the front door where Cynthia Benoit was found was splashed with blood, police said.