Pregnant mum, 23, found dead in own home with throat slashed and head scalped

06 March 2024 , 06:56

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Shawn Cranston was accused of slaying Byler and her pregnant child (Image: abcnews)

A pregnant mum-of-two was slashed in her throat and SCALPED before being discovered lying in a pool of blood, according to court filings.

Rebekah Byler, a 23-year-old member of the Amish community, was three months away from giving birth when she was found dead at the home she shared with Andy Byler, 24, in Sparta Township, Pennsylvania, US.

She was found last week lying on her back in the living room in a pool of blood. A 52-year-old local man was detained by Pennsylvania State Police over the weekend and accused of her murder.

Following a five-day investigation that the police referred to as "exhaustive," Shawn Cranston was accused of slaying Byler and her pregnant child. In addition, he faces charges of criminal trespassing and burglary. On Saturday morning, Cranston was reprimanded. After that, he was charged and lodged in the Crawford County Jail.

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Police described the investigation as "exhaustive" (abcnews)

"I'm someone's worst nightmare if they meddle with me and mine," Cranston's creepy Facebook bio says. Any possible motive for the killing is still unknown.

Neighbours of Cranston spoke about how shocked and horrified they were by his arrest for the heinous crime. Byler seemed to have "cutting wounds to her neck and head," according to the police. Additionally, they have verified that she was shot while her two small children were at home.

"I was just shocked," stated Paula Stine, who resides two homes down from the man who is currently facing double homicide charges, adding: "I was just shocked. It's frightening to think of how close he was, someone like that and I have grandchildren." Authorities claim that their final steps to reach Cranston's door were guided by leads, interviews and evidence.

Cranston is being held without bail as he awaits his March 15 preliminary hearing (abcnews)

Around 10am on the day Rebekah was slain, the Byler family told the local media that they observed a red Jeep on the property. The allegation states that Cranston owns a red Jeep Patriot.

On Saturday morning, the two-story wooden residence in a remote area was ringed by yellow police tape. Drawn curtains and items piled up against the windows covered them. Scratched with debris and an RV, the muddy and untidy yard was home to a tractor.

According to Stine, a SWAT team stormed Cranston's dilapidated house on on Friday night after police had closed it off.She said she was unaware of Cranston's acquaintance with Byler and said, "I hardly ever spoke to him. Although he was rather private, it's unsettling to think that he was there."

Mataeo Smith