Authorities say former /*Army*/ doctor and /*Green Beret*/, Jeffrey MacDonald, killed his pregnant wife Colette MacDonald and their two daughters, 6-year-old Kimberly and 2-year-old Kristen Jean.
They were found stabbed to death in the early morning of February 17th 1970 in their home. A jury convicted MacDonald nine years later.
The home is now one of 28 demolished to make room for a new neighborhood center.
The private company in charge of maintaining base housing says the MacDonald house was not targeted for demolition because of its notoriety.
The gruesome murders became the subject of two novels and a movie. The house gained fame, even attracting tourists.
"It was just a major, big thing for this area," Fayetteville resident, Vickie Marinielo said. "It was just horrifying to know someone could come in and kill little children."
That is why the demolition is bittersweet for the neighborhood.
"I think it's probably 50-50. Some are happy to see it go, where as the other ones agree it is a historical site if you will and it's notoriety for what did take place," said Kelly Douglas with Picerne Military Housing.
The cleared site will be home to a new $2 million, 11,000 square foot neighborhood center with a fitness room, theater and swimming pool.
