Pa. family massacre allegedly spurred by long-standing feud

(CBS/AP) ASHVILLE, Pa. - Authorities say an estranged daughter and her husband burst into her parents' home, killing her mother and brother, before being shot to death by her father, who apparently didn't realize she was the daughter he hadn't spoken to in about 20 years.

"What we are led to believe, at this point, he had no idea that was his daughter until after the fact, after everything unfolded," Pennsylvania State Police Trooper John Matchik Jr. said of Jeffrey Frew, the sole survivor of the Friday shootout, reports CBS affiliate WTAJ.

Authorities on Sunday said Josephine Ruckinger, 43, killed her mother, 64-year-old Roberta Frew, while her husband, Jeffrey Ruckinger, also 43, apparently killed Josephine's brother, 47-year-old John Frew Jr.

Cambria County District Attorney Kelly Callihan says investigators believe Josephine Ruckinger's father, John Frew, then killed her and her husband.

WTAJ reports Callihan is calling the shooting a murder plot: "Clearly, these two individuals came to this house to carry out a plan, a deadly attack on this family," she said. "I would characterize it as a home invasion that was a murder plot. They came armed and ready to commit murder."

The attack happened at the Frew home in Ashville, a rural community about 40 miles southwest of State College.

According to the station, police say they found a large amount of ammunition, a gas can, and charcoal lighter fluid in the suspects' car.

An investigation is ongoing.