A family’s extended stay at Pennsylvania’s Great Wolf Lodge ended in tragedy when Charles Harrison and his 3-year-old son were found dead inside their hotel room on October 12, 2026. The family, from Towanda, had checked into the Pocono Mountains resort on September 21 and extended their reservation on October 5. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Charles, his wife, Metallica Rose Harrison, 27, and their son returning to their room at approximately 11:22 p.m. on October 11. The following afternoon, police responded to a 911 call from Metallica, who reportedly told the dispatcher she was suicidal and that her husband and child were dead. Officers found her injured near the doorway and discovered both victims inside. According to court documents, Charles suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest, while the child appeared to have one stab wound. Investigators reportedly recovered two knives and several medication bottles from the bathroom, but authorities have not established their connection to the deaths.
Metallica was taken to a hospital for treatment and charged with two counts of criminal homicide. During the ambulance ride, she allegedly expressed grief over the family she had hoped to have, saying, “It wasn’t supposed to end like this.” She later declined to answer detectives’ questions after being advised of her rights. Investigators also searched a property connected to the family in Towanda, where neighbors described the couple as private, although one recalled occasionally hearing yelling. Monroe County District Attorney Michael Mancuso said authorities were working to understand what happened, but a motive had not been publicly established. Autopsies were scheduled, and Great Wolf Lodge confirmed it was cooperating with investigators. Officials described the incident as an isolated domestic tragedy and said there was no ongoing threat to other guests. Metallica remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court, while investigators continue examining the evidence and reconstructing the family’s final hours.
