The Union County prosecutor says a man has been charged in the slayings of his mother and grandfather in Springfield Township.

James Brown, 27, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and related weapons offenses in connection with the deaths of his mother, 51-year-old Roth Brown, and grandfather, 79-year-old Thomas Brown.

The victims were found stabbed to death inside their Meckes Street home Monday. Police discovered the bodies after responding to a welfare check when one of the victims didn't show up for work.

Investigators identified James Brown as the suspect. He was arrested Tuesday morning when two Mountainside police officers spotted him walking along Route 22 near the border of Mountainside and Springfield.

Wendall Joyner is a close family friend of the victims. He says that he stopped by the house Saturday to invite Roth Brown out to lunch. He says that their car was in the driveway, but no one answered the door.

"[Roth] was a terrific person. I mean, you couldn't ask for better," Joyner says. "She took care of her father...tried to do the best with her son...She was very active in the church."

Joyner says that James Brown, who also lived in the home, has special needs.

Neighbors say that they never saw any warning signs that anyone would try to hurt the family.

James Brown is being held on $2 million bail.