Woman murders father and his girlfriend over inheritance dispute

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WASHINGTON, March 5, (Agencies): A Pennsylvania woman, Sherry Heffernan, has been found guilty of murder after driving to her father’s New Jersey beach house under the cover of night, killing him and his longtime girlfriend due to being cut out of his will, according to authorities. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office revealed the verdict on Friday, following a four-week trial.

Heffernan, 57, of Landenberg, was convicted on two counts of murder, weapons charges, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose for using a handgun and a knife in the commission of the murders. The victims were identified as her father, John Enders, 87, and his girlfriend, Francoise Pitoy, 75. Heffernan is now facing life in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 10.

The gruesome murders came to light on Oct 3, 2021, when Pitoy’s relatives requested a welfare check at Enders’ waterfront home in Surf City on Long Beach Island. Unable to reach her for several days, the police discovered the bodies of Enders and Pitoy, both killed by multiple stab wounds and gunshot wounds to the face. Enders had also suffered blunt force trauma.

During the investigation, detectives found bloody footprints and a glove inside the six-bedroom home. Surveillance footage revealed an individual entering and leaving the house in the early morning hours of Sept 29, 2021, driving a large RV to the area—later identified as Heffernan’s. Interviews with neighbors and relatives indicated that Heffernan and her sister had recently been removed from their father’s will.

Enders, who was estranged from Heffernan’s sister, had also prevented Heffernan, a realtor, from listing the beach home for sale. The property was eventually sold for $1.7 million in January 2022.

Heffernan was taken into custody on October 4, 2021, by the Pennsylvania State Police at her home in Landenberg, where she pleaded not guilty. Throughout the trial, her defense argued that there was no evidence linking her to the RV that morning.

Following the verdict, Pitoy’s daughter, Valerie Lewis Evans, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, while Enders’ grandson, Andrew Vero, described it as “pure relief” and a chance to move forward.

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