Maher Kassem: Illinois Father spares teen son to witness him murder wife and daughters in home basement
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
ILLINOIS, CHICAGO: Maher Kassem, the individual responsible for the murder of his wife and three daughters, provided the police with the reported motive behind the killings.
Notably, he spared his teen son to watch him murdering his money-hungry wife, Majeda, and daughter, Zahia, Halema, and Hanan in the basement of their home on Sunday, January 21, in Tinley Park
After the tragic killing of his family members, Maher has been charged with three counts of murder. In the course of the investigation, he also provided an account of the sequence of events that transpired during the argument over money at the crime scene.
What did Maher Kassem report?
As reported by DailyMail, Maher Kassed revealed that he recently retired after dedicating his entire life to providing a better home for his family.
He expressed feelings of being unappreciated by his wife Majeda and daughters Halema, Zahia, and Hanan.
Voicing concerns about financial matters, Maher complained to the police, stating, "45 years... I worked 45 years, and she treated me like a f**king dog."
The family is believed to have owned a liquor store in the neighborhood.
On the fateful Sunday morning when the family members were tragically killed, his 19-year-old son overheard the heated argument and witnessed his father moving up and down the stairs from the basement.
Upon hearing the first gunshots, the son hurried to the basement, where he discovered his sisters' lifeless bodies on the ground. He then witnessed his father shooting his mother seven times.
Each of the three daughters suffered gunshot wounds to the head, and one of them also sustained a gunshot to the back, with the bullet exiting her body through her chin.
Police reported to the crime scene
After the tragic shooting, Maher called 911, reporting that his wife had been shot but not confessing to being the perpetrator of the killings.
When the police arrived at the scene, he provided more details, stating, "I am the only one... I am going to jail."
Thirteen shell casings, along with two weapons—a .38mm revolver and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol—were discovered at the scene.
The pistol was found under the living room coffee table, alongside an empty magazine. Behind a couch pillow, the .38mm revolver was located, containing four spent shell casings in the cylinder and two live rounds.
According to prosecutors, the initial argument involved Maher and one of his 25-year-old daughters. Eventually, the other daughters and his wife became involved, urging him to calm down, leading to the explosive escalation.
