STANLEY, N.C. — Editor's Note: This story discusses domestic violence, which may include descriptions of violent acts. Reader discretion is advised.
The Gaston County Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation after an overnight murder-suicide and house fire near Stanly.
Around 2 a.m. Saturday morning, officers were called to 220 Brentwood Lane to assist the Gaston County Sheriff's Office with a suspected murder-suicide.
The suspect, 48-year-old Russell Blakney, is believed to have intentionally set fire to the house. Gaston County police found Blakney's remains at the crime scene.
Blakney's twin children were also in the house at the time. Officers rescued Blakney's 11-year-old daughter from the house and she was taken to Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem. She is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries from the fire and is in stable condition.
According to police, Blakney's 11-year-old son, Cyrus, died at the scene from "injuries sustained at the hands of his father."
A memorial service will be held for Cyrus on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. at the Catawba Heights Baptist Church in Belmont.
WCNC Charlotte has reached out to Gaston County police for more information about this incident.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Gaston County Police Department at 704-866-3320 or Crime Stoppers at 704-861-8000.
If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, help is readily available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources for help are available in both North Carolina and South Carolina.
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