A teenager accused of killing his parents Halloween morning made his first court appearance in Augusta, Maine Tuesday afternoon.
Andrew Balcer, 17, of Winthrop, Maine, is accusing of killing Alice and Antonio Balcer, 47, in their home early Monday morning.
"They were good kids," said Dr. Mary Sheridan, a veterinarian who worked with Alice at the Winthrop Veterinary Hospital. "They're a close family. I don't understand. Hopefully we will someday."
Wearing a gray sweat shirt, jail uniform pants, and bright red nail polish, the juvenile did not show any emotion or make eye contact with family members present for his court appearance. Attorneys for both the state and defense declined to comment.
Balcer has been ordered held without bail until his next court appearance, on Nov. 17. He will undergo a court ordered mental health evaluation.
The state has requested a hearing to determine if Balcer will be charged as an adult. He is just weeks away from his 18th birthday.
"My heart goes out to the family," said neighbor Melissa Shannon. "I feel for the one who is left."
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Shannon remembers the night of the murders, hearing a panicked person knocking on their door, asking for help.
"It makes me want to cry, thinking about that person who had to go through that," said said. Shannon didn't open to the door because she was afraid for her own children's safety. She called police, and the person ran away.
A police affidavit outlining the evidence to arrest Balcer has been sealed, and autopsy results have not been made public.
The couple, who went by Ali and Tony, are being remembered as kind, happy, and loving members of the community.
"She was a warm, important, wonderful member of our staff and community," said Dr. Sheridan, who added that Ali ran three miles a day.
Friends said Tony was a Coast Guard veteran, member of the Exiles motorcycle club, and bible study teacher.
"I think it's important for people to know how special they were," said Dr. Sheridan, "even the kids."
