WEYMOUTH, Mass.

Family ‘devastated’ by multiple homicides

The family of an 18-year-old accused of killing his older sister, mother and mother’s boyfriend said Saturday they are devastated by the deaths, and the victims will be “forever missed.”

Donald Rudolph was arrested Thursday at the victims’ home. He’s accused of killing his sister Caylin Rudolph, 24; mother Paula Rudolph, 50; and her boyfriend, Frederick Medina, 52.

Police Chief Richard Grimes did not say how the victims died but described the scene as “gruesome.”

In a statement Saturday, the family said it was “devastated by this tragedy.”

“Paula, Caylin and Frederick were kind and caring people who went out of their way to help others,” the statement said. “They adored Caylin’s young daughters and enjoyed all of the daily activities with them. Our deepest sympathies also go out to the Medina family. Paula, Caylin and Frederick were all loved and will be forever missed.”

Donald Rudolph is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

CHATHAM, Mass.

More seals may be leading to more great white sharks

Researchers trying to explain an increasing number of great white shark visits to Cape Cod waters have reached an unsurprising conclusion: More seals mean more sharks.

State shark researcher Greg Smokal told the Cape Cod Times the findings may seem obvious, given that the sharks eat seals. But he said the paper is laying the foundation for future research.

The paper reported that the number of great white sharks visiting waters off Chatham is relatively low, but it’s been increasing with the booming seal population. For instance, the number of seal pups born to a breeding colony off Nantucket has risen from six in 1991 to more than 2,000 in 2008 .

PORTSMOUTH, N.H.

Police arrest one, search for 7 others on drug charges

Police have made one arrest and are looking for seven other people wanted on various drug charges.

Portsmouth police said they charged 19-year-old Jessie Floyd on Thursday on two counts of conspiracy to sell marijuana and hashish.

Capt. Corey McDonald told Foster’s Daily Democrat that police targeted drug sales after noticing an apparent surge in heroin use in the city and a corresponding increase in thefts from homes, businesses and vehicles.

He said the seven other people who are being sought have been charged with selling drugs including heroin, cocaine, marijuana and Suboxone.

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