Current:Home > ContactGuns, ammo and broken knife parts were found in the home where an Amish woman was slain, police said -Insightful Finance Hub
Guns, ammo and broken knife parts were found in the home where an Amish woman was slain, police said
View
Date:2025-04-17 18:46:51
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! (95)
Related
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- 2 Japanese men die in river near Washington state waterfall made popular on TikTok
- Powell may provide hints of whether Federal Reserve is edging close to rate cuts
- Flaring and Venting at Industrial Plants Causes Roughly Two Premature Deaths Each Day, a New Study Finds
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Mega Millions winning numbers for March 19 drawing: Lottery jackpot soars to $977 million
- The Viral COSRX Snail Mucin Essence is Cheaper Than it was on Black Friday; Get it Before it Sells Out
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Leo Rising
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Maker of Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles to follow California’s strict vehicle emissions standards
Ranking
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Unilever announces separation from ice cream brands Ben & Jerry's, Popsicle; 7,500 jobs to be cut
- What to know about Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame's freshman star and ACC rookie of the year
- IRS chief zeroes in on wealthy tax cheats in AP interview
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- England is limiting gender transitions for youths. US legislators are watching
- The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Finally Gets a Price Tag for All Its Performance
- Clemency rejected for man scheduled to be 1st person executed in Georgia in more than 4 years
Recommendation
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
The first ‘cyberflasher’ is convicted under England’s new law and gets more than 5 years in prison
Battleship on the Delaware River: USS New Jersey traveling to Philadelphia for repairs
How to watch women's March Madness like a pro: Plan your snacks, have stats at the ready
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
Mega Millions jackpot nears billion dollar mark, at $977 million
Man to plead guilty in eagle ‘killing spree’ on reservation to sell feathers on black market
Subway will replace Coca-Cola products with Pepsi in 2025