Brake’s attorney, Thomas Smith, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Brake is charged with the murder of agribusiness sophomore Katherine Brown, 18; her boyfriend Jeremy Zimmer, 20; his mother Sharmaine Zimmer, 53; and his brother Tyler Zimmer, 17.

Sharmaine and Tyler Zimmer were killed by two gunshots to the chest, Jeremy was killed by one gunshot to the head, and Brown was killed by multiple blunt force trauma to the head, according to a court affidavit.

A .40-caliber Glock handgun that matched shell casings from the homicides was found during an Oct. 16 search of Brake’s home in Grant, police said.

There is no evidence to suggest a silencer was used in the murders, Knapp said.

The Zimmers’ home, located at 18757 8th Ave., in Wright Township, was set on fire in multiple places to cover the homicides, Knapp said.

“At least one of the (fire) origins had the presence of gasoline, based on lab results,” Knapp said.

But the home also had been Brake’s residence during high school, Knapp said.

“He lived with the (Zimmers),” he said. “It was to finish out his senior year.”

Brake and his family had lived in the house next door to the Zimmers, but Brake moved in with his neighbors after his family moved out of the area.

Police said they did not know of any recent contact between Brake and the Zimmers.

Bob Zimmer, Tyler and Jeremy Zimmer’s father, said in an interview with WOOD TV 8 that he does not know why Brake would have killed his sons and wife.

“I hope to find out why he did this before I die,” said Bob Zimmer, who has been undergoing dialysis for several years, according to the TV station.

Zimmer declined further comment to The State News on Thursday.