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Ritualistic killing of Florida family may be linked to blue moon, occult – police Ritualistic killing of Florida family may be linked to blue moon, occult – police
(35 minutes later)
Related: Wicca experts slam Florida sheriff for linking triple murder to 'witchcraft'
The suspected ritual killing in Florida of a mother and her two sons is being looked at for connections to the recent blue moon and to occult practices, police have said.The suspected ritual killing in Florida of a mother and her two sons is being looked at for connections to the recent blue moon and to occult practices, police have said.
Escambia county sheriff David Morgan said authorities had identified a person of interest in the deaths of Voncile Smith, 77, Richard Smith, 49, and John Smith, 47.Escambia county sheriff David Morgan said authorities had identified a person of interest in the deaths of Voncile Smith, 77, Richard Smith, 49, and John Smith, 47.
All three victims were struck multiple times with a claw hammer and their throats were slit. Richard Smith was also shot in his right ear.All three victims were struck multiple times with a claw hammer and their throats were slit. Richard Smith was also shot in his right ear.
A day earlier, Morgan said the initial investigation pointed toward some kind of “ritualistic killing”.A day earlier, Morgan said the initial investigation pointed toward some kind of “ritualistic killing”.
“The method of the murder — blunt force trauma, positioning of the bodies — and our person of interest has some ties to a faith or religion that is indicative of that,” Morgan said at a news conference on Tuesday.“The method of the murder — blunt force trauma, positioning of the bodies — and our person of interest has some ties to a faith or religion that is indicative of that,” Morgan said at a news conference on Tuesday.
He added that the time of death “coincides with what’s referred to as a blue moon, which occurs every three years”.He added that the time of death “coincides with what’s referred to as a blue moon, which occurs every three years”.
The blue moon, a rare second full moon in a single month, occurred on Friday 31 July. While the bodies were discovered that day in the home, authorities have said they believe the killings occurred three days before.The blue moon, a rare second full moon in a single month, occurred on Friday 31 July. While the bodies were discovered that day in the home, authorities have said they believe the killings occurred three days before.
The leader of a Pensacola-area Wiccan group, responding to comments by the sheriff about ritual killings, said the victims were not associated with any of the area’s pagan or Wiccan organisations.The leader of a Pensacola-area Wiccan group, responding to comments by the sheriff about ritual killings, said the victims were not associated with any of the area’s pagan or Wiccan organisations.
Nor did the murders relate to any tradition followed by pagans or Wiccan organisations, said Keith Vallas of Three Moon Wiccan Grove.Nor did the murders relate to any tradition followed by pagans or Wiccan organisations, said Keith Vallas of Three Moon Wiccan Grove.
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“The entire pagan community is outraged by what the sheriff is saying,” he said. “No one I’ve ever been exposed to in the community would do anything like this.”“The entire pagan community is outraged by what the sheriff is saying,” he said. “No one I’ve ever been exposed to in the community would do anything like this.”
Authorities have said there were no signs of forced entry to the slain family’s home and nothing was taken from the home. A large amount of cash in a safe was not touched, they said.Authorities have said there were no signs of forced entry to the slain family’s home and nothing was taken from the home. A large amount of cash in a safe was not touched, they said.
Richard Smith was employed by the Department of Homeland Security and worked at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, but officials with the Naval Criminal Investigative Services “have determined there are no issues involving … national security elements”, Morgan said.Richard Smith was employed by the Department of Homeland Security and worked at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, but officials with the Naval Criminal Investigative Services “have determined there are no issues involving … national security elements”, Morgan said.
Meeks Willard, who lives in the rural west Pensacola neighbourhood where the Smiths were killed, said he was frightened and could not sleep at night.Meeks Willard, who lives in the rural west Pensacola neighbourhood where the Smiths were killed, said he was frightened and could not sleep at night.
“This is causing me a lot of stress,” he said. He lives on the same street but has never met the Smiths.“This is causing me a lot of stress,” he said. He lives on the same street but has never met the Smiths.
Voncile Smith’s grandson said he was completely shocked to learn of the deaths of his grandmother and two uncles.Voncile Smith’s grandson said he was completely shocked to learn of the deaths of his grandmother and two uncles.
“They sounded perfectly happy the last time I talked to them,” said Donald Hartung of Virginia Beach, Virginia. “It’s a shock to me, too. Everything sounds crazy.”“They sounded perfectly happy the last time I talked to them,” said Donald Hartung of Virginia Beach, Virginia. “It’s a shock to me, too. Everything sounds crazy.”