A Lincoln University man faces charges relating to the fatal stabbing and attempted rape of his 81-year-old grandmother and the attempted rape of his mother, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said in a press release.

Hogan said Kevin A. Havelow Jr., 23, was taken into custody at his Lower Oxford Township residence by state police from the Avondale barracks, who received a 9-1-1 call about 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

“This was a brutal attack.  The family is traumatized,” said Hogan in the release.  The Pennsylvania State Police did an outstanding job responding to a remarkably volatile situation.”

According to the criminal complaint, Havelow began arguing with his mother about 1 a.m. after she denied his request to have a friend stay overnight. Havelow, who admitted having smoked marijuana, lived at the Irwin Drive home with his mother, sister and grandmother. Hogan said the names of the mother and sister are being withheld for their privacy because of the nature of the crimes.

Havelow later told police that he was angry with his mother and grandmother, believing that they were preventing him from having “a normal social life,” including being able to smoke pot at home. He began sexually assaulting his mother, who eventually fought him off while his sister called police, the complaint said.

Havelow then turned his attention to his grandmother, Aleen Watters, who uses a walker for mobility. He sexually assaulted her and took multiple knives out of the kitchen, stabbing her more than 20 times in the stomach, chest, and head, the complaint said.

When troopers arrived, Havelow was still in the home and was apprehended. Efforts to save his grandmother were not successful, and she was pronounced dead at the scene, the complaint said.

“We are grateful that the quick response stopped the defendant’s actions before anyone else was injured or killed,” State Police Lt. Jeremy Richard said in the release.

Havelow, a graduate of Oxford High, where he was on the wrestling team, was unemployed at the time of the alleged crimes. After high school, he enlisted in the Army National Guard but did not complete his commitment. Investigators said he was voluntarily committed to Brandywine Hospital in December for threatening to harm himself, the complaint said.

Following his arraignment, Havelow, whose charges include first-degree murder and attempted rape, was taken to Chester County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 1, court records said.

The case is being investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police with assistance from the Chester County Detectives.  Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Tpr. Nathan Aukamp at 610-268-2022.

“Every homicide is disturbing, but a homicide of an elderly person within a family is particularly troubling,” Hogan said in the release.  “We are all grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and the cooperation of the family to address this matter quickly, thoroughly, and justly.”