Woman 'can't believe dad is a monster' after brutal death of pregnant Amish lady
The daughter of a man accused of killing a pregnant Amish woman has said she is still in shock after finding out he is "such a cold-hearted monster".
On Monday, Rebekah Byler was found dead in her home just a few miles from Spartansburg, Pennsylvania. Documents released after a search warrant from police discovered the 23-year-old died having shot in the head and having her throat slit. Two warrants issued at the request of the state police made the findings after Ms Byler was found in her living room earlier this week.
Shawn Cranston, 52, was arrested and charged in the murder for the killing which shocked the local community in northwestern Pennsylvania to its core, where people say Amish, who restrict the use of technology and are known for their traditional clothing, get on well with non-Amish in the area. The warrants were submitted by investigator Trooper Adam Black.
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The remote farmhouse (abcnews)He said the victim's husband, Andy Byler, found her body "a short distance inside" the home shortly after noon. Black explained how a woman, previously described by police as a family friend, called 911 at 12.36pm, to report that she and Andy Byler found Rebekah Byler unresponsive when they arrived.
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According to Cranston's daughter, Byer is thought to have been shouting at her father when things took a tragic turn. She continued: "Supposedly she started yelling at him, coming in, then that's when boom, all it took. It's just horrifying to think that. Like I could never picture my dad being that cold-hearted monster. Never in a million years."
His daughter went on to say she believes her father mant to kill the previous homeowner and this tragedy was a case of mistaken identity. Since the double homicide, Cranston has been charged with criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary and criminal trespass. He is currently being held in the Crawford County Jail without bail.
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Police were called after a 23-year-old woman was found dead on Saturday morning (abcnews)Trooper Cynthia Schick said on Thursday the investigation and autopsy have given police an idea of what the murder weapon may have been, but they do not have it in their possession. Two young Byler children at the home were not harmed, Schick has said.
Emergency services, including the state police, rushed to the scene earlier this week but were unable to help the woman. The warrants sought knives, blades, cutting instruments and other items. Police have not said how she was killed. They also said they have not developed any suspects and want the public to contact them with any tips. Neighbour Paula Stine said: "I was just shocked. It's frightening to think of how close he was, someone like that and I have grandchildren."
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The community is reeling (abcnews)Her home is found along a remote dirt truck in a farming area part of the state. On Thursday afternoon there were no signs of activity in the house where a buggy, a bike and a truck were parked outside. A few miles away, a gift shop displayed a handwritten sign offering prayers for their Amish neighbours.
Groups of Amish people turned up at all hours to share their support to the deceased individual. A representative of the community told a reporter outside the home that the community would not be commenting on the matter.
Emergency services cars lined up at the scene (abcnews)Lindsey Smith, president of the women's auxiliary of the Spartansburg Volunteer Fire Department, said everyone is "sad and shocked" by the tragedy.
She continued: "It's not something that happens around here," she said as she and other volunteers prepared food on Thursday afternoon at the department for its Friday fish fry." People who live in the area explained how the Aish people had been there for a long time and the majority of people got on well. Ms Smith added: "They are a big part of our community. They support us a lot."
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Katie Rhodes, a waitress at the Dutch Treat Restaurant in Spartansburg's small business district, said people are still absorbing the shock of the news. She added: "My heart breaks for the family, for the little kids."
Kelsey Bova, owner of Bova's Hardware and administrator of a local Facebook group, set up a fundraiser for the victim and her family and friends. She wrote: "We would like to show our support for the entire Amish community and help raise funds so that Andy and his children can find a safe new home."
Bova has organised a drive for food, toys, cleaning products and gift cards, inviting locals to drop the donations off at the hardware store or a local pub. Byler's cousin Rosanna posted to Facebook asking friends to pray for her. She added: "I'm in shock! I can't believe it! Where they live in PA is a rural area. I grew up about 20 miles from there and would go down to that area all the time."
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