Jordanville parishioners murdered under truly tragic circumstances

Warren, N.Y. (Syracuse) — After a Herkimer County man was charged with fatally stabbing his father and 12-year-old sister Sunday, the surviving members of his family are still trying to figure out why.

Michael Andreev Jr. was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder after police found the bodies of his father, Michael Andreev Sr., and his sister, Sofia Trusova, stabbed to death Sunday at their home in Jordanville, state police said.

Michael Andreev Jr., 22, was found in the front yard of the house with a cut to his neck, troopers said. He was immediately considered a suspect, they said.

Stefan Andreev said in a Facebook post Thursday that his older brother Michael “has exhibited symptoms of schizophrenia for a long time now.” He also said in the post that his biological mother, Elena Trusova, and his maternal grandmother both suffer from the chronic brain disorder.

“This senseless act of violence on our beloved is inexplicable,” Stefan Andreev wrote.

Michael J. Andreev Jr. is being held at the Herkimer County Correctional Facility without bail, troopers said.

Stefan Andreev, a 20-year-old student at American University in Bulgaria, returned home to help care for his 9-year-old brother, who state police say witnessed the attack.

Christian Andreev, 18, took emergency leave from his fifth week of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, to come home, according to a GoFundMe page set up by Alexei Zaikoff. Stefan said Zaikoff is a long-time family friend.

Stefan Andreev described his father in the Facebook post as “a loving person who always put family first.”

Stefan Andreev said his father was born in Bulgaria and immigrated to the United States.

“Everything he had done was with purpose and in the name of his ideals,” Stefan Andreev wrote. “Most importantly, he loved all his children until the end.”

Stefan Andreev also wrote about his younger sister in the post. He called her “an outgoing young lady maturing into a bright life.”

“She was very intelligent and friendly with everyone.,” Stefan Andreev wrote. “Her peers and community enjoyed spending time with her. She was a great sister, but above all a good person with an enduring love for everything.”

Stefan Andreev said his family are members of the Russian Orthodox Community in Jordanville.

“My father and sister had their lives cut short due to preventable causes,” Stefan Andreev said in the post. “Let us not forget that my father and sister will forever live on in our memories, and be forever in our prayers. May God have mercy on their souls.”