Ruby Nell Thomas, 57, was killed on August 23, 2014, in Philadelphia’s Holmesburg neighborhood while visiting a friend at 4700 block of Vista Street. She and 67-year-old Dollie Evans were found shot in the home; Evans was located in an upstairs bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head, and Thomas was discovered in the living room with a cord around her neck and a gunshot wound to the head. Both deaths are being treated as execution-style killings.

Police arrested 25-year-old James Mears a few days after the slayings and charged him with two counts of murder, robbery and related offenses. Investigators say Mears had been staying with the women for a couple of months, stole about $500 from Evans, and then shot Evans and Thomas; Thomas was allegedly strangled before being shot. Mears had a prior criminal record and had recently been released from prison.

The community and families continue to mourn. If anyone knew Ruby Nell Thomas, Dollie Evans or has information about what happened at the Vista Street home, please come forward.