Arzel Ivery, 25, has officially been charged with three counts of first degree intentional homicide for the murders of Amarah Banks and her two children, Zaniya Ivery, 5, and Camaria Banks, 4.
Arzel Ivery appeared before a judge on Monday in Memphis, Ten. According to the criminal complaint, his father initially called the Memphis Police Department and stated that Ivery had killed the mother of his children and his children in Milwaukee earlier in the month.
In police interviews, Ivery said there had been tension between him and Amarah Banks since the recent death of their son on Feb. 7. He admitted to going to her house on Feb. 8 during which time the two got into an argument and Ivery eventually strangled her to death.
Ivery told police he did not want the children to "live in a world where they did not have their mother," so he went into each child's bedroom and strangled them as well, according to the criminal complaint.
From there, Ivery drove to Memphis where his father lives and admitted to killing Amarah, Zaniya and Camaria.
According to the criminal complaint, Ivery said that it was his family, that he brought into this world and that he can take them out if he wanted.
Ivery faces life in prison for the homicides of Amarah, Zaniya and Camaria.
