Relative says suspect held for A.C. tourist stabbings is schizophrenic

Bail is set at $2 million for the woman accused of stabbing two Canadian tourists to death in broad daylight in Atlantic City days before the start of the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The Press of Atlantic City reports 44-year-old Antoinette Pelzer of Philadelphia was taken to the Atlantic County Jail on Tuesday morning.

Update, 2:30 p.m. Nadine King, Pelzer’s aunt, said Pelzer has been battling schizophrenia for many years, has been homeless since January and has no criminal record.

Charges against Pelzer are expected to be upgraded from aggravated assault after the women, ages 80 and 47, died of their wounds. Their names have not been released pending notification of relatives.

Authorities say a police officer subdued the 44-year-old at gunpoint after seeing her stab a woman Monday. The attack occurred in an area where most casinos have their entrance ways and parking garages.