Springfield father fatally stabbed daughter 3 days after family wedding, sources say

This story has been updated. An earlier version misidentified the place of the groom and the victim in a recent wedding.

SPRINGFIELD — A father allegedly stabbed his wife and daughter to death just days after a sibling's wedding, according to sources close to the investigation.

Osamah Al Kherat, 46, of 177 Marion St. in the city's Hill-McKnight neighborhood, also brutally slashed her other daughter's new groom, officials say.

Authorities have not officially released the names of the victims.

A day after Sunday's stabbing, the home where the attacks allegedly took place appeared serene — with shoes neatly stacked on the porch, flowers adorning the stairs and an outdoor light still on. In the small front yard, there was a sign celebrating a resident's 2021 high school graduation.

But investigators witnessed a grisly scene inside Sunday morning. Public records show Al Kherat and his wife purchased the home in 2019.

Police have not given a motive for the alleged attacks, and a complaint filed in support of an arrest warrant was sealed after a motion by prosecutors was granted by Judge Kevin Maltby.

Al Kherat, a small man with a slightly stooped posture, appeared in court Monday afternoon and pleaded not guilty through an Arabic interpreter. His hands were chained behind his back and heavily bandaged.

During a break in the court proceedings, police Capt. Trent Duda remained tight-lipped about the case.

“We do not comment on ongoing investigations,” Duda said.

Al Kherat was detained without the right to bail.

Neighbors on the densely populated street declined to speak to a reporter Monday.

Al Kherat's Facebook page says he worked within the Syrian Revolution Network, an information and communications organization for the Syrian uprising. His page also states that he studied at Westfield State University, but has provided few other details on his public profile.

The man who was stabbed remains in serious condition, police said.

Al Kherat's next court date is set for June 17.