Metallica Rose Harrison allegedly drained her husband’s 401(k) account to pay for their family’s trip to Great Wolf Lodge, where she ultimately killed him and their 3-year-old son.
Metallica, 27, was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal homicide after she allegedly stabbed her husband, Charles Harrison, and their son, Tristan, in the chest during their trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun, Pennsylvania.
Charles’ stepmother, April Thetga, claimed to the New York Post that Metallica had tapped her son’s retirement account to pay for the three-week trip to the resort, which she said was an early Christmas present for Tristan. Additionally, she allegedly used her husband’s money for a kitchen remodel and other expenses.
The family arrived at the resort on September 21. They extended their reservation on October 5 and planned to check out on Tuesday, October 13.
“It was definitely odd, but they’d taken their 401(k) out. … There was nothing we could do about that,” Thetga said of the family’s recent financial decisions.
Thetga added that she didn’t know whether the couple had borrowed against the retirement account or withdrew the money outright.
Despite the risky financial move, Therga said that her family wasn’t too concerned with Metallica and Charles’ trip. She said that they even had a video call with Metallica the day before the murders.
“She had called, and we’re video-chatting, and then she says she loved us very much, just like she normally would,” Thetga recalled.
While speaking to the outlet, Thetga said that Charles, 36, was a devoted husband and father.
“He was a fantastic husband. She definitely got lucky when it came to him. He just was good. He was a good father,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever even seen him fight.”
Thetga added that they were “a loving family” and she was “shocked as everybody else” by the killings. “We’re not evil people. We want answers. They were always happy,” Thetga said.
Authorities learned that Metallica had killed Charles and Tristan when she reportedly called 911 around 3 p.m. on Monday, October 12, saying she wanted to die and that her “husband and son are already gone.”
Charles and Tristan were found dead inside their hotel room, and Metallica was found suffering from wounds to her wrist and neck. Authorities said the father had been stabbed multiple times in the chest, while the boy was stabbed one single time in the chest.
Investigators searched the hotel room and found two knives, which staff members confirmed were not from the resort. Authorities also reported finding several bottles of medication and two containers of what appeared to be blood at the crime scene.
When Metallica was taken into custody, she reportedly told officers that she “wanted to be with her husband and son.”
It is not currently clear whether Metallica has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest. The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
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