North Carolina police officials say that 39-year-old Dibon Toone fatally beat his army veteran wife and three children with a hammer.
At around 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 16, police officials received a call from a concerned out-of-state relative, requesting a welfare check on a family who hadn’t been seen in a while.
After arriving at the home on 1101 Grovemont Drive in Greenville, police discovered the body of Garlette Howard and her three daughters, Bryana, Myona, and Ayona, inside the home.
Dibon Toone saw judge this AM. He will be picked up by North Carolina police within 10 days. #RVA @NBC12 pic.twitter.com/gJFhKmL9Mz
— Allison Norlian (@AllisonNBC12) August 18, 2016
It was not immediately made clear when the family was killed, but a local medical examiner determined that the cause of death was “from traumatic head injury by assault.”
Investigators believe Toone used a hammer to beat his family to death.
Chief Mark Holtzman said that the family’s death:
“…Could have happened up to a day or more ago … All of those facts are really volatile … Pinpointing a time of death is very difficult in a homicide investigation, especially one that didn’t occur as we were arriving.”
Once Greenville police received information that the suspect was located in Richmond, driving his victim’s work vehicle, they used:
“…On-Star technology to track him down.”
Dibon Toone murder case: Army vet Garlette Howard, her three young daughters killed with hammer, cops say – CBS https://t.co/qyhjNPphfm
— Vikki Lawson (@DPDLawson) August 20, 2016
Sandy Ledbetter, who is a detective with the Richmond Police Department said:
“Luckily that night, we had numerous patrol officers that stepped in to assist and the K9 officer.”
“Everyone did not hesitate, came together as a team and took him down safely and no one got hurt. It’s always adrenaline when you call, reference a murder suspect or a rape suspect or a robbery suspect. I think that adrenaline is what keeps us safe.”
During a news conference Tuesday, Greenville Police Chief Mark Holtzman stated that back in July, police were made aware of:
“… At least two previous incidents involving Toone and Howard, including a recent physical altercation and a suicide attempt by Toone.”
Video captured today in court of Dibon Toone. He signed a waiver of extradition. #RVA @NBC12 pic.twitter.com/br0m4CH9ES
— Allison Norlian (@AllisonNBC12) August 18, 2016
Holtzman added that:
“These four innocent victims were senselessly murdered at the hands of someone they loved.”
“As little girls, you should be able to trust your father – to look to him for advice, and know he will always be there to protect you. Toone betrayed that trust, and as a result, these little girls and their mother paid the ultimate price.”
Watch this news report for more information about this gruesome and horrific crime:
A motive for the killing of an army veteran and her three children have not been determined, but an investigation is underway.
Featured Image by WNCT-TV via YouTube Video.
