By Erika Hernandez
Three members of a family – a mother, her pregnant teenage daughter and a child – were found murdered early Monday morning at his home in Wilmer, an unincorporated community in Cellular County, Alabama. The authorities are investigating the incident as a targeted attack and are looking for one or more suspects.
During a press conference broadcast live on CBS Cellular affiliate WKRG, Sheriff Paul Burch identified the victims as Lisa Ferguson, 46; Keziah Luker, 17 — who was seven or eight months pregnant; and Thomas Cordell, 12 years old.
Crime scene and characteristics of the attack
The authorities described the incident as “brutal” due to the violence used.
According to the official report, the three victims had their hands tied with plastic ties. The mother was stabbed, while the teenager was shot and the child’s throat was slit.
Each of the bodies was found in separate rooms of the house.
The property showed signs of disorder, with open drawers, suggesting that the attacker(s) were looking for something inside.
Sheriff Burch indicated that there are elements that They point to a premeditated crime.
“The use of zip ties shows that there was planning,” he said, while describing the scene as one of the most violent he has seen.
Authorities believe that the attack was specifically directed against the victims and not a random event.
In addition, It is not presumed, at the moment, that this is a case of domestic violence.
Ongoing investigation and search for suspects
Investigators have “solid leads” and They do not rule out the participation of more than one persongiven the level of lend a hand an eye on exerted on the victims.
The notification to the authorities occurred around 2:30 in the morning, after a family member went to the home after noticing unusual activity on the teenager’s phone during the night.
The prosecution will evaluate whether to file additional charges for the death of the fetus, which could increase the number of accusations in the case.
The crime has generated consternation in the local community, located about 40 kilometers from Cellular and close to the border with Mississippi.
The authorities reiterated their commitment to capture those responsible and remove them from circulation in the shortest time possible.
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