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A military veteran along with his wife were both gruesomely killed during a burglary in Alabama, according to officials.
A 46-year-old man was arrested after allegedly killing a husband and wife found dead at their Reform, Alabama, home Sunday, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office said. Justin Elrod and his wife, Lena Elrod, were discovered dead at 12:15 a.m. following reports of a burglary. George Birmingham faces charges in their deaths, officials said.
Birmingham was arrested on charges of one count of capital murder, two counts of murder, one count of burglary and additional drug-related charges.
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Justin Elrod, a military veteran, and his wife, Lena, were found dead at their Reform, Alabama, home Sunday. (Lena Elrod/Facebook)
Court records indicate Birmingham was accused of killing Lena Elrod with an electric saw and stabbed or struck Justin Elrod in the head with a metallic object.
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George Birmingham, 46, faces capital murder and additional charges in the deaths of Justin and Lena Elrod, according to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. (Pickens County Sheriff’s Office)
The sheriff’s office said Birmingham was accused of killing the husband and wife before the burglary inside their home.
According to WBRC, a motive hasn’t been established, but authorities said Birmingham was an “acquaintance” of the Elrods.
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Friends described Justin Elrod as a hard worker who survived his military service only to be killed in the alleged burglary. (Lena Elrod/Facebook)
Aliceville Mayor Terrence Windham described Justin Elrod as a hard worker who was humble.
“He was a very humble guy, and he was the last person that I would think that something like this would happen to,” Windham said. “He survived the military, survived working in the prison, and now, this situation, it just makes it even worse.”
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Jason Burns, who worked with Justin Elrod at a federal prison, said he’s still at a loss that his friend was killed.
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Justin and Lena Elrod were remembered by friends and coworkers as a devoted couple. (Lena Elrod/Facebook)
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“About every five minutes,” Burns said. “About every five minutes, I’m having that moment.”
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“We ask everyone to continue keeping the victims’ families, those affected by this tragedy, and the responding first responders in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said.