Arrest made for murder of pregnant Amish woman in PA
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
11:30 AM – Sunday, March 3, 2024
Days after a 23-year-old pregnant Amish woman was discovered earlier this week with slashes on her head and neck, a suspect has been arrested.
After a five-day investigation, 52-year-old Shawn Cranston of Corry, Pennsylvania, was taken into custody, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Cranston is currently being charged with burglary, criminal trespassing, and criminal homicide of an unborn child.
A 23-year-old pregnant woman was found dead at a house on Fish Flats Road in Sparta Township, Crawford County, on Monday, according to information sent to state police. Troopers found her with cutting injuries to her neck and head.
Reportedly, Cranston broke into the residence of the woman, who has been identified as Rebekah A. Byler of Sparta Township, last Monday and killed her by “shooting [her] in the head and/or slashing her throat.”
Just before 12:30 p.m., according to the police, Byler’s husband discovered her dead. They added that when her body was found, her two kids were also inside the house. The two young children were unharmed.
At his preliminary arraignment early on Saturday morning, Cranston was denied bond because he might receive a life sentence. He is currently being held at the Crawford County jail.
According to court records, Cranston has a preliminary hearing set for March 15th. He has not obtained a public defender.
Shortly after 12:00 p.m. on February 26th, Byler’s husband, Andy Byler, discovered her dead inside the house, prompting the police to launch an inquiry. According to Trooper Cynthia Schick, the autopsy and investigation have provided police with a potential murder weapon.
The small community in northwest Pennsylvania, where the Amish are said to get along well with their neighbors, was surprised by the murder. Sparta Township is a small township located in Crawford County, around 35 miles southeast of Erie, Pennsylvania, and just outside the city of Spartanburg.
“Everyone is stunned — this doesn’t happen here,” Charleen Hajec, a pharmacist who is a Spartansburg native, told the press. “Everyone is talking. It’s scary and frustrating.”
Additionally, Hajec explained that she couldn’t believe a killing would occur in Sparta Township, which she referred to as a “tight-knit community.”
“The outside world doesn’t get in,” Hajec said. “To have something this tragic … it doesn’t happen here.”
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How has the close-knit community of Sparta Township reacted to the shocking murder of Rebekah A. Byler
Title: Suspect Arrested in Murder of Pregnant Amish Woman in Pennsylvania
Introduction:
In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the quiet community of Sparta Township, Pennsylvania, a pregnant 23-year-old Amish woman was found brutally murdered earlier this week. After an intensive five-day investigation, Pennsylvania State Police have made an arrest in connection with the crime. This tragic incident has left the close-knit community devastated and demands justice for the victim and her unborn child.
The Arrest:
Shawn Cranston, a 52-year-old resident of Corry, Pennsylvania, has been taken into custody and is currently facing charges of burglary, criminal trespassing, and criminal homicide of an unborn child. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Cranston broke into the residence of the victim, Rebekah A. Byler, on Fish Flats Road in Sparta Township last Monday, where he allegedly shot her in the head and/or slashed her throat, resulting in her tragic death.
Details of the Crime:
Rebekah A. Byler’s lifeless body was discovered by her husband just before 12:30 p.m. on February 26th. Her two children, who were also inside the house at the time, were thankfully unharmed. The authorities believe that Cranston’s motive for the murder was solely to harm Byler and her unborn child. The case has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, where such acts of violence are unprecedented.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Sentence:
During his preliminary arraignment on Saturday morning, Shawn Cranston was denied bond due to the severity of the charges, which carry a potential life sentence. He is currently being held at the Crawford County jail. Cranston’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 15th, but it is worth noting that he has not yet obtained legal representation.
Community Reaction:
The small community of Sparta Township, known for its peaceful coexistence between Amish and non-Amish residents, has been left stunned by this heinous act. Charleen Hajec, a pharmacist and native of Spartansburg, expressed her shock and frustration, stating, “Everyone is stunned – this doesn’t happen here. It’s scary and frustrating.” Hajec further emphasized that Sparta Township is considered a “tight-knit community,” making the tragedy all the more difficult to comprehend.
Conclusion:
The arrest of Shawn Cranston brings some solace to a grieving community that is struggling to come to terms with such a senseless act of violence. The loss of Rebekah A. Byler and her unborn child has had a profound impact on the Sparta Township community. As legal proceedings unfold, the public will closely follow the investigation, hoping for justice to be served. This tragic incident serves as a reminder that no community is immune to acts of violence and emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and support for victims’ families during these difficult times.
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