Charles Harrison was remembered by his former teacher as “respectful” and someone who “was always smiling” before his wife, Metallica Rose Harrison, allegedly killed him and their son, Tristan, during a family trip to the Great Wolf Lodge.
Retired English teacher Kelli Krieger, who taught Charles, 36, when he attended Union-Endicott High School, told Lehigh Valley Live that he was a memorable student despite him last being in her class two decades ago.
“Most high school boys did not want to write an essay, especially if they weren’t going to college,” Krieger said. “But Charles was always respectful and he worked hard.”
She explained that Charles wrote the essay in question during a difficult time in his life, and he used writing as an outlet.
“I remember the days helping him on the essay,” Krieger recalled. “He got through it. He was always smiling with his friends and just so sweet.”
Krieger was not the only person to express fondness for Charles. A former classmate, who asked to remain anonymous, said he was an “amazing dad” and that she often trusted him to babysit her own child.
“Chaz never hesitated to volunteer to help,” she said. “Chaz was always there for us, no matter what, no questions asked.”
Metallica, 27, allegedly killed Charles and their son, Tristan, on October 12 while they were on a family trip at the Great Wolf Lodge in Pennsylvania. Metallica later called 911 to report the murders and to express her desires to die by suicide.
Police then reported to the resort, where they found that she had allegedly stabbed Charles and Tristan, 3, to death. Additionally, was found with wounds to her wrist and neck.
Metallica was taken into custody and charged with two counts of criminal homicide. She has not yet entered a plea or retained legal counsel as of time of publication, according to court dockets viewers by Us.
Following the killings, it was revealed that Metallica had allegedly drained Charles’ 401(k) to pay for their family’s three-week trip to the Great Wolf Lodge, a kitchen remodel and other expenses.
Metallica’s stepmother, April Thetga, told the New York Post that the defendant had tapped her husband’s retirement account to pay for the trip as the family was facing severe financial strain in the months leading up to the murders.
“It was definitely odd, but they’d taken their 401(k) out. … There was nothing we could do about that,” Thetga admitted of the financial decision.
Additionally, Us exclusively reported that Capital One filed a civil complaint against Metallica on May 14 claiming that she owed the company $11,824.36. She filed an intent to defend on May 27, though Magisterial District Judge Todd Carr ordered Harrison to pay the company the full amount of $11,824.36 on August 17.
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