Neighbors, friends remember slain couple

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Neighbors and friends are remembering a slain Port St. Lucie couple as a hard working and typical family.

With well manicured lawns, American flags fly high, they lived in the typical South Florida neighborhood.

"They were just a nice family that would go trick or treating and we always waved," explains neighbor Charlene Moses.

Now the home of 54-year-old Blake Hadley and 47-year-old Mary Jo Hadley, that once looked so normal from the outside, is overshadowed by crime scene tape. There are images of the family pets being taken away and questions as to what was really going on behind closed doors.

"It was a meaningless killing," says one law enforcement official.

Mary Jo was a school teacher for the past 24 years with the St. Lucie County school district. She spent the last six years as a teacher at Village Green Elementary.

"My daughter just finished kindergarten and was looking forward to having Mrs. Hadley as her teacher," adds parent Lauren Espitia.

District officials released a statement saying, "The St. Lucie County District family is deeply saddened at the tragic loss of one of our valued colleagues."

Father Blake was described as hard working, and was said to have spent the last 20-plus years working for Florida Power and Light.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family," says the company's spokesperson.

Authorities still don't know what led Tyler Hadley to kill his parents with a hammer, leave their bodies in their bedroom and then throw a house party.