Two Jewish men , Erik Weissman , and Raphael Teken , as well as their roommate Brendan Mess , were killed in a triple homicide in Waltham , Massachusetts , on September 11 , 2011 , the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks . Each victim 's throat had been slit with such great force as to be nearly decapitated . Thousands of dollars worth of marijuana and cash were left covering the victims ' bodies , and $ 5,000 was left at the scene . The local district attorney said that it appeared that the killer and the victims knew each other . It was reported on April 23 , 2013 , that local authorities believed Tsarnaev may have been responsible for the triple homicide , and they and the FBI were investigating the possibility . In May , forensic evidence connected the two brothers to the scene of the killings , and their cell phone records appeared to place them in the area . The officials cautioned that until more definitive DNA testing is complete , it is still too early to consider bringing an indictment against the younger of the two brothers . ABC reported on April 23 , 2013 , that authorities linked Tsarnaev to the Waltham unsolved triple homicide
9/11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Tamerlan Tsarnaev