Current:Home > NewsGuns, ammo and broken knife parts were found in the home where an Amish woman was slain, police said -ValueMetric
Guns, ammo and broken knife parts were found in the home where an Amish woman was slain, police said
View
Date:2025-04-18 16:39:14
Police investigating the killing of a pregnant Amish woman inside her Pennsylvania home last week recovered three firearms, bullets and two spent casings as well as broken knife parts, according to an inventory made public on Tuesday.
The state police document said the search of the house where Rebekah A. Byler was killed on Feb. 26 produced the broken orange handle of a knife, a broken knife blade and a bone-handled knife. Investigators also took a white bonnet and the contents of an ash tray, trash can and dust bin.
A man who lived about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from the Byler home in northwestern Pennsylvania was charged Saturday with criminal homicide, homicide of her unborn child, burglary and criminal trespassing. Police have not disclosed what they think may have motivated Shawn C. Cranston, 52, to kill her in the living room, where her husband and a family friend found her.
It’s unclear from the search inventory if any of the items taken belonged to Cranston or were used in the killing, which police have said involved “shooting her in the head and/or slashing her throat.” They include a .22-caliber rifle, two shotguns and a variety of ammunition. Investigators also recovered a .22-caliber cartridge case and a 6.5 Creedmoor casing, both discharged.
Cranston remains in the Crawford County Correctional Facility without bail. No defense attorney has appeared in court records, and the county public defender’s office said Monday it was not representing him. Family members have not answered phone calls seeking comment on his behalf.
Police said the 23-year-old Byler, whose two children were home but unhurt, suffered wounds to her neck and head.
Cranston’s cousin, Rebekah Cranston of Erie, said Tuesday that Cranston was a native of the Corry area and had worked as a truck driver. She said she had fallen out of touch with him in recent years and that many of his relatives knew nothing about the allegations.
“We’re just in shock and sending out prayers for the victim,” she said.
Shawn Cranston’s next-door neighbor, Chris Knight, said he was a “respectful” neighbor who often rode motorcycles. His wife is a nurse, she said.
Knight said that in recent months Cranston’s pickup truck was no longer parked at the home. The Cranstons seemed to be down to one vehicle, she said, a red Jeep.
“It seemed like he’s been home a lot but I don’t know what that situation is,” Knight said.
veryGood! (32)
Related
- Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
- Supreme Court seems likely to allow class action to proceed against tech company Nvidia
- Prosecutors say some erroneous evidence was given jurors at ex-Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial
- Vegas Sphere reports revenue decline despite hosting UFC 306, Eagles residency
- Sam Taylor
- Sydney Sweeney Slams Women Empowerment in the Industry as Being Fake
- John Krasinski is People's Sexiest Man Alive. What that says about us.
- Caitlin Clark's gold Nike golf shoes turn heads at The Annika LPGA pro-am
- A steeplechase record at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Then a proposal. (He said yes.)
- It's about to be Red Cup Day at Starbucks. When is it and how to get the free coffee swag?
Ranking
- PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Wednesday August 7, 2024
- Noem’s Cabinet appointment will make a plain-spoken rancher South Dakota’s new governor
- Biden, Harris participate in Veterans Day ceremony | The Excerpt
- Footage shows Oklahoma officer throwing 70-year-old to the ground after traffic ticket
- Small twin
- Just Eat Takeaway sells Grubhub for $650 million, just 3 years after buying the app for $7.3 billion
- 'This dude is cool': 'Cross' star Aldis Hodge brings realism to literary detective
- What do nails have to say about your health? Experts answer your FAQs.
Recommendation
JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
Georgia remains part of College Football Playoff bracket projection despite loss
Why Josh O'Connor Calls Sex Scenes Least Sexy Thing After Challengers With Zendaya and Mike Faist
Martha Stewart playfully pushes Drew Barrymore away in touchy interview
Connie Chiume, South African 'Black Panther' actress, dies at 72
Martha Stewart playfully pushes Drew Barrymore away in touchy interview
California researchers discover mysterious, gelatinous new sea slug
Judge sets date for 9/11 defendants to enter pleas, deepening battle over court’s independence