Sister of young mother found dead in Gardner home urges Aaron Pennington to surrender to police

GARDNER, Mass. — At 42 Cherry St. in Gardner, a tragic scene.

Here police stand watch at the home where a young mother, Breanne Pennington, was found shot to death Sunday morning in a second floor bedroom.

Her husband, Aaron Pennington, is missing and the subject of a State Police manhunt.

He should be considered armed and dangerous and may be armed with a firearm, according to state police.

Aaron Pennington is believed to be driving a white BMW 320 sedan with a Massachusetts Veterans plate No. 8A30. State police said he may have attached one of two other registrations to the BMW: Texas plate DTZ3103 or California plate 6CWN728.

The couple’s four young children, who ran to a neighbor for help, are now in DCF care.

Breanne’s family, on the West Coast, is trying to come to terms with what’s happened.

“We’re all in shock about this. We’re all in shock. We had no idea something like this would ever happen,” said Brooke Pertile, who is Breanne’s younger sister.

In a phone interview, she tells me Breanne loved living in Gardner, and was looking forward to raising chickens in her backyard.

And Breanne lived for her children.

“She’s a very loving, caring, compassionate woman. She always saw the best in everything and people,” Pertile said. “She definitely lit up the room like no other, any room that she walked in.”

In a criminal complaint, police reveal that Breanne and Aaron’s relationship was troubled.

Police say Breanne was planning to move, with her children to Texas, so she could get away from Aaron.

The report says Aaron suffered mental illness and had threatened to take his own life.

“He, on the outside, he was a very nice person. But he’s been struggling with some mental health issues. They just were getting worse,” Pertile said.

Brooke tells me she last spoke to her sister three days before Breanne’s death.

She tells me there were no red flags to the violence that unfolded in the house.

Brook is now urging Aaron to surrender.

“He better turn himself in. He needs to stand up for what he did, and turn himself in. And not be a coward. He needs to turn himself in. He needs to do it for the kids,” she said.

Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson made a statement regarding community members request to hold a vigil in Breanne’s memory.

“Several individuals have reached out regarding holding a vigil in the City with regard to the situation that occurred yesterday on Cherry Street. Due to the fact that the investigation is still ongoing and since the suspect is still at large, at the recommendation of the Police Department, we are asking that no vigils be held at this time. Additionally, the City will not approve or issue any park permit applications for any public spaces for vigils related to this matter until such safety concerns are alleviated and the investigation reaches the appropriate point.”

This is an ongoing investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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