In a quiet Kennett Square, Pennsylvania home, a heated argument shattered the peace of an April evening, leaving a mother and daughter dead and a family irrevocably broken. The lives of 37-year-old Emily Hanks, a female, and her 75-year-old mother, Judith Hanks, were cut short on April 25, 2024, in an act of violence that stunned their community. The tragedy unfolded after Emily had just been released from the hospital, where she was receiving treatment for a chronic medical condition.
The events of that evening escalated from a verbal dispute between Judith and her husband, 76-year-old Roger Hanks. He was cleaning a 9mm handgun when the argument began. His wife was reportedly upset, telling him he 'doesn't do anything' and 'just sits in his chair.' In response, he threatened to 'plug' her if she didn't leave him alone. The argument intensified, and the gun went off, striking Judith in the chest.
Witnessing her mother's shooting, Emily Hanks reportedly 'went into a rage' and ran at her father. Roger Hanks then turned the weapon on his daughter, shooting her in the chest as well. Both women were found unresponsive in the kitchen and were pronounced dead at the scene. After the shootings, Roger Hanks called a neighbor and confessed, stating that he 'went crazy' and shot his wife and daughter. The neighbor then contacted the authorities.
When police arrived, Roger Hanks was taken into custody from the garage of his home. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and related offenses. In his statement to detectives, he admitted to his proficiency with firearms, boasting that he was 'the best of the best' and a frequent competitor in shooting competitions. He was held without bail at the Chester County Prison.
Nearly a year later, on the day before what would have been his daughter's 38th birthday, Roger Hanks pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder. This plea resulted in a mandatory life sentence in prison. During the sentencing, friends and loved ones remembered Emily and Judith as vibrant women who brought light to the lives of those around them. Emily was described as a confident and gregarious woman with a passion for life, who had a successful career at CNA Insurance and was a leader in a women's employee resource group.
