Guitarist Bryan Harvey, who was half of the early '90s duo House of Freaks [ tickets ], was found murdered along with his wife and two daughters in their suburban Richmond, VA, home over the New Year's weekend.

The bodies of Harvey, 49, his wife Kathryn, 39, and their two daughters, Stella, 9, and Ruby, 4, were discovered Sunday (1/2) when firefighters responded to a 911 call reporting a fire at the family's home.

Harvey and his family were found in the basement of the home, bound with their throats slashed. Authorities were responding to a call placed by Harvey's former partner in House of Freaks, Johnny Hott, who had arrived at the home for a planned New Year's day party.

Officials told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the case is being handled as a homicide and arson investigation. Investigators told the paper that the house did not appear to be burglarized.

According to the paper, the family was alive early on Sunday morning. Harvey had returned at 2 a.m. after finishing a gig with his current band, NrG Krysys, at a local hotel. One of the daughters reportedly stayed the night at a friend's house and was returned home Sunday morning, where she was greeted by her mother, who appeared "ashen and nervous," according to another article in the paper, quoting the unidentified woman who brought the girl home from the sleepover.

Harvey released an EP and three albums as a member of House of Freaks, which disbanded in 1992.

Photo: Greg Allen