At a press conference this afternoon, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said that his investigators believe that the triple homicide that was discovered last Friday could be tied to witchcraft.
Morgan said that the mother and two adult sons were killed ritualistically, and their murders may have been tied to the Blue Moon last Friday evening.
About 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 31, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4600 block of Deerfield Drive for a welfare check. When deputies arrived, they found the three people deceased. The medical examiner believes the murders occurred on Tuesday, July 28, after 7 p.m.
The victims were identified as 49-year-old Richard Thomas Smith, 77-year-old Voncile Smith and 47-year-old John William Smith. Richard Smith worked for the Department of Homeland Security, and John Smith worked for WalMart.
All three victims were killed by multiple blows from a claw hammer. Their throats were slit, and their bodies were positioned in a ritualistic manner, according to the sheriff. Richard Smith had also been shot in the head.
The sheriff said that NCIS had been contacted, reviewed the murder scene and had cleared the ECSO to release information on the murders. Sheriff Morgan said that they do have a person of interest, which they have already interviewed.
He said that robbery doesn’t appear to be a motive. There were no signs of forced entry. Cash in a home safe was not touched.
Sheriff Morgan said he believed the crime was an isolated incident.
Anyone with information on the crime is to contact Crimestoppers – 850-433-STOP(7867).