5 victims at 'gruesome' homicide scene; suspect Derrick Dearman in custody

Aug 21, 2016 - 06:54
Aug 21, 2016 - 07:10
 0  692
5 victims at 'gruesome' homicide scene; suspect Derrick Dearman in custody
Derrick Dearman

CITRONELLE, AL - Sheriff's deputies say five people including a pregnant woman have been found horrifically murdered with 'multiple weapons' on Saturday night in rural Alabama.

According to the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, the scene was "gruesome," and the County District Attoey Ashley Rich characterized it as a "horrible scene" in Citronelle Saturday night.

Around 4 p.m., authorities found five victims in a residence a few hundred yards in the woods off Jim Platt Road in Citronelle. One of the victims was five months pregnant, according to Capt. Paul Burch of the Mobile County Sheriff's Office. Authorities say all five victims were adults. Burch said they also have a witness and infant in their care. He explained the witness is a woman who was kidnapped by the suspect and later released.

Dearman (above) tued himself in to police across the state in Greene County, Mississippi Police say Dearmon (above) knew at least one of the victims

Dearman (above) tued himself in to police across the state in Greene County, Mississippi. Police say Dearmon knew at least one of the victims

In custody is Derrick Dearman, who tued himself in to authorities across the state line, in Greene County, Mississippi, Burch said. He will be charged with six counts of capital murder -- counting the five adult victims and the unbo baby. Burch said Dearman already had a criminal history with an outstanding warrant for burglary. We're told he will be extradited to Mobile County.

Authorities say multiple methods were used in the homicides, including a firearm. It is believed he knew at least one of the victims.

Mobile County Sheriff's Office deputies on scene of multiple homicide in Citronelle, Ala

Captain Burch explained that the victims made a 911 call between midnight and 1 a.m. to report Dearman trespassing. We're told Citronelle Police drove down the road to check, but did not find Dearman.

It was emotional and chaotic Saturday night as family members of the victims arrived to find out the news. The Mobile County Sheriff's Office, the Citronelle Police Department and the FBI were investigating all evening. Authorities say it will take them several days to process the scene. Mobile County District Attoey Ashley Rich was also there.

"We have a horrible scene here," Rich said. "I've been an assistant district attoey and now the elected DA, for six years, in total a 20-year career as a prosecutor, and I have never seen a scene where there were five people brutally and viciously murdered. That's what we have here."

Earlier Saturday evening, a detective told FOX10 News it was one of the most gruesome homicide scenes he has ever seen.

"Identities of the victims were being withheld. "The victims' families have not been notified, and you have to respect that at this point," Rich said.

Save

Save

What's Your Reaction?

Like Like 0
Dislike Dislike 0
Love Love 0
Funny Funny 0
Angry Angry 0
Sad Sad 0
Wow Wow 0
Mike Gallagher Freelance writer with a passion for travelling