OMAHA, Neb. -- The brother of a man charged with two Christmas Eve slayings in Omaha said he spoke with his brother and the victims just hours before police arrived at their home.

Saundra Brown, 36, and her sister Renota, 48, were found dead inside a home at 4213 N. 21st St. on Christmas Eve. Police arrested Fabian Hands, 46, in connection with the slaying.

Police said they went to a home and discovered the bodies of the women in the basement, and also found a relative of the victims, who told officers that she had been sexually assaulted. While police talked her, Hands came from the bedroom and allegedly assaulted her in front of police, officers said.

Lavelle Hands said he spoke to his brother and the Brown sisters earlier Monday night.

"My body is numb. My family is in shock," Lavelle Hands told KETV NewsWatch 7 in a phone interview from his Chicago home.

He said he heard about an argument between his brother and Saundra Brown, but they talked about making up. He said they sounded calm when he hung up.

Fabian Hands was dating Saundra Brown. It was her daughter who told police that she had been sexually assaulted.

"In my heart of hearts, I know my brother wouldn't have sexually assaulted anyone," Lavelle Hands said.

Lavelle Hands said his brother and Saundra Brown had a volatile relationship.

"Sandra and my brother, Fabian, were verbally abusive to one another and sometimes it got physically abusive to one another. They had a strange and unusual relationship. They would fight just to make up," Lavelle Hands said. "They decided to stay together -- even him talking to me recently about getting married."

Lavelle Hands said his brother isn't a monster.

"Fabian was like a sweet giant. He loved people. He loved life, and I know for a fact he loved Saundra," he said.

Lavelle Hands said he and his family are praying for the Browns, and for Fabian. He said that he understands the pain the Browns are going through, because he and his brother lost their mother, father and youngest brother within the past two years.