"Evil was in my backyard," York Co. man snaps killing 2, including 5-year-old: officials

HOPEWELL TWP., Pa. (WHP) — Disturbing new details in the heinous stabbing deaths of two people in southern York County. The suspect told police that he had an out-of-body experience that pushed him to stab four people in all, killing two, including a five-year-old girl.

“They were a nice close family,” said neighbor Jean McKee.

A nice close family in a tight-knit community, now victims of an unthinkable crime.

“Coming from Baltimore, this has been like an oasis. It's safe. It's clean. The people are decent. They are good. It was just really scary last night,” McKee said.

Police and EMS surrounded 17 Firebox Court in Hopewell Township, York County Monday night after a call for help. First responders found a total of four people stabbed, two dead, including a mother and daughter. The deceased have been identified as 34-year-old Christine Fousek and her daughter, 5-year-old Rylee Reynolds.

“This is terrifying and really tragic,” said neighbor Gretchen Onstot.

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Court documents place the blame on Christy's boyfriend, 32-year-old Keith Kretzer. During an interview after his arrest, Kretzer told police he was cooking inside the family home when “something took control of him and made him get a knife.” After allegedly killing Christy and Rylee, Kretzer marched upstairs and stabbed 63-year-old Jacqueline and 28-year-old Joseph Fousek before running out of the house.

According to the affidavit, Joseph Fousek was in his room playing games with a headset on when he heard screaming within the residence. Kretzer then run through the door into the room with a large knife and began stabbing Joseph. As the two fought over possession of the knife Joseph Fousek obtained it and broke free from the struggle.

Following the struggle, Kretzer ran out of the room allowing Joseph Fousek to call 911 for help.

Kretzer told investigators, during the struggle he "snapped out of it," fleeing to a large field outside the residence.

“It's a real shock. It’s kind of shaken the neighborhood,” Onstot said.

“People don't realize, this was a nice good family. They weren't into drugs. They weren't criminals,” McKee said.

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During a search of the home, Pennsylvania State Police located marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms along with the knife used in the crime. The brutality of the incident brought long-time neighbor Jean McKee to tears.

“You hear about evil but evil was in my backyard last night and that's not comforting. That's not comforting,” she said.

The suspect, Keith Kretzer, was arraigned before a judge and denied bail. He is charged with two counts of criminal homicide, and two counts of criminal attempt - homicide.

A court records search of Kretzer turned up no issues in York County. However, a search in Maryland shows Kretzer had three protection orders in 2012, 2014 and 2017 including two for domestic violence.

The two other victims in the incident were brought to hospitals with serious injuries. Right now, CBS21 News is trying to track down the latest information on their conditions.

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