In the spring of 2017, a Philadelphia family was shattered by a brutal act of violence that left a brother and sister dead in their Kensington home. Raymond Finney, a 48-year-old Black/African American male, and his sister, Florence 'Mrs. Tina' Pompey, who was 54, were discovered on the morning of May 28, 2017. Both had been shot in the head in what appeared to be an execution-style killing.
The scene was unsettling for investigators as there were no signs of forced entry, and robbery was quickly ruled out as a motive since nothing was taken from the residence. The perpetrator had seemingly entered the house, committed the murders, and left without a trace.
The discovery of the siblings' bodies was made by Tasmara McLaughlin, the mother of Raymond Finney's children, who had gone to the home on East Clearfield Street searching for her son, Raymond Finney Jr. He had been reported missing two days prior, on May 26, after he did not return from his job as a city sanitation worker. His backpack and cellphone were found near the Schuylkill River, adding a layer of mystery and concern to the unfolding tragedy. The family's grief was compounded when, on June 9, a body was pulled from the Schuylkill River and was later identified as the missing Raymond Finney Jr. Authorities stated they believed his death was a suicide.
As the investigation into the double homicide progressed, police identified a person of interest in the killings: another of Raymond Finney Sr.'s sons, Leonard. The case took a definitive turn when a family member, Anntwinette Dupree-Hart, the niece of the victims, wrote an article in March 2021. In her account, she stated that her Aunt Florence and Uncle Raymond were 'shot and killed by Raymond's son.' While the family has publicly mourned the immense loss, the case remains a dark chapter for a family torn apart by violence. The Philadelphia Police Department had indicated they believed they had a motive early in the investigation but did not release it to the public to protect the integrity of their work. Despite the public identification of a person of interest and the family's own statements, the community continues to await a final resolution and justice for Raymond Finney and Florence Pompey.
