A tragic scene unfolded in Pennsylvania when a 13-year-old boy returned from school to discover his mother dead on the bathroom floor, surrounded by blood. Authorities report that she was fatally stabbed by her husband, the boy’s stepfather, who then attempted to slit his own throat but survived the attempt.

The victim, 31-year-old Violette Pierre, was killed on November 25 in their Harrisburg home by her husband, Rocheny Clerge, as confirmed by police in an official press release.

Authorities revealed that Pierre, a mother of three, was found beneath Clerge, who allegedly attempted to end his own life after the murder.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by local NBC affiliate WGAL, Clerge was discovered covered in blood, with a large knife nearby. Officers found him moving, pulled him away from Pierre, and provided first aid. He had a severe neck wound and was bleeding heavily.

The devastated son ran out of the house in panic, alerting a neighbor who then called 911. The boy informed police that his parents frequently argued and had been fighting when he left for school that morning. He also mentioned that Pierre had expressed a desire to leave Clerge the day before the violent incident.

“Clerge was rushed to a local hospital for advanced medical care, and an investigation was initiated,” the affidavit says. He is expected to survive.

Home security footage reportedly shows Pierre’s son leaving for school around 8:30 a.m. before returning in the afternoon to find his mom and Clerge. An uncle was captured on video taking Pierre’s two other children to school that morning while she and Clerge were allegedly fighting. The son can be seen “exiting the residence frantically about 10 to 20 seconds after he entered,” according to the affidavit.

“During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Clerge was responsible for the death of the victim,” Harrisburg police said in the department’s press release.

Clerge was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and possession of an instrument of a crime. He is being held without bond with a preliminary hearing set for Dec. 23.