VA - Cullen, 1, Emily Bivens, 24, & Joan Bernard, 62, Pittsylvania, murdered, 26 Aug 2019 *Arrest*

[imstilla.grandma]

Autopsies on all the victims have been completed, though Taylor said a cause and manner of death had not yet been confirmed. He did confirm that a firearm was involved in the incident, though said he could not confirm further details due to the ongoing investigation.
VIDEO: Police identify victims in Pittsylvania County triple murder; suspect on suicide watch

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

Unfazed by pepper spray and running around naked sounds like he was into either bath salts, PCP, or smoking spice. JMO

 

[PastTense]

"PITTSYLVANIA Co., Va. (WSET) -- A criminal complaint filed in connection to the triple homicide is revealing more details as to what led to a neighbor finding the body of Joan Bernard in the driveway of her home...

A criminal complaint filed by the neighbor who found Joan Bernard shows that Bernard went to her home the morning of Tuesday, August 27 and punched her in the arm before running away. She said after he ran away she heard multiple gunshots coming from the home next door, where Bernard lives. The neighbor drove to the home and found Joan Bernard laying in the driveway around 8 a.m...

He reported that two victims had visible gunshot wounds to the head and 30-30 caliber shell casings were located near all three bodies. The investigators also found a sledgehammer in the garage covered in blood and a 30-30 Rifle in the wooded area behind their home."
Court docs: Victims found with gunshot wounds to head, sledgehammer found with blood

Can anyone find these court documents?

 

[Momof4RN]

delete duplicate post

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"PITTSYLVANIA Co., Va. (WSET) -- A criminal complaint filed in connection to the triple homicide is revealing more details as to what led to a neighbor finding the body of Joan Bernard in the driveway of her home...

A criminal complaint filed by the neighbor who found Joan Bernard shows that Bernard went to her home the morning of Tuesday, August 27 and punched her in the arm before running away. She said after he ran away she heard multiple gunshots coming from the home next door, where Bernard lives. The neighbor drove to the home and found Joan Bernard laying in the driveway around 8 a.m...

He reported that two victims had visible gunshot wounds to the head and 30-30 caliber shell casings were located near all three bodies. The investigators also found a sledgehammer in the garage covered in blood and a 30-30 Rifle in the wooded area behind their home."
Court docs: Victims found with gunshot wounds to head, sledgehammer found with blood

Can anyone find these court documents?

I can’t. I searched yesterday and today.

 

[Momof4RN]

Arraignment for triple murder suspect canceled due to hospitalization for 'undisclosed reason'

 

[mks762]

I can't even begin to imagine how out of your mind you'd have to be to murder a) anyone b) a family member c) a baby. I work with someone who went to school with two of the people involved in this case so I've remained quiet but I just wanted to pop in and say I am absolutely heartbroken for this family. I do think this was a psychotic break especially given his age, but it will be interesting (not the right word) to hear if there were any drugs involved. I don't know how Blake Bivens and the rest of the family members will be able to recover from this, but I will have them in my prayers for a long time.

Also throwing in my 2 cents about LE- BRAVO for not pulling a weapon. I would've been surprised if they had given this community, but I did wince when I saw the suspects hands around the church member's throat. That was tough to watch and I'm very glad the suspect quickly let go, but I did question the police officer in that split second. But I guess that's why they're the professionals and I am not!! They did the right thing in the end and hopefully the suspect is getting the help he so clearly needs and the family is able to come together and move forward from this atrocious event.

ETA I think this is an important message for all of us to remember- from the prayer service held in Danville a family friend Penny Bartee said "We're all grieving ... we're in pain, but we're there for one another and that's the most important thing for people to know. That you are there. It's called the ministry of presence, just being there"
Grieving community gathers to honor victims and families affected by triple murder
Reach out to someone who may be struggling and let them know you're there. It may make a difference.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

I can't even begin to imagine how out of your mind you'd have to be to murder a) anyone b) a family member c) a baby. I work with someone who went to school with two of the people involved in this case so I've remained quiet but I just wanted to pop in and say I am absolutely heartbroken for this family. I do think this was a psychotic break especially given his age, but it will be interesting (not the right word) to hear if there were any drugs involved. I don't know how Blake Bivens and the rest of the family members will be able to recover from this, but I will have them in my prayers for a long time.

Also throwing in my 2 cents about LE- BRAVO for not pulling a weapon. I would've been surprised if they had given this community, but I did wince when I saw the suspects hands around the church member's throat. That was tough to watch and I'm very glad the suspect quickly let go, but I did question the police officer in that split second. But I guess that's why they're the professionals and I am not!! They did the right thing in the end and hopefully the suspect is getting the help he so clearly needs and the family is able to come together and move forward from this atrocious event.

ETA I think this is an important message for all of us to remember- from the prayer service held in Danville a family friend Penny Bartee said "We're all grieving ... we're in pain, but we're there for one another and that's the most important thing for people to know. That you are there. It's called the ministry of presence, just being there"
Grieving community gathers to honor victims and families affected by triple murder
Reach out to someone who may be struggling and let them know you're there. It may make a difference.

Thank you so much for your two pennies’s thoughts. They are worth much more.

 

[PastTense]

Arraignment for triple murder suspect canceled due to hospitalization for 'undisclosed reason'

I certainly thought he should have immediately been taken to a secure mental health facility for evaluation and treatment. I hope this is what this is.

Also throwing in my 2 cents about LE- BRAVO for not pulling a weapon. I would've been surprised if they had given this community, but I did wince when I saw the suspects hands around the church member's throat. That was tough to watch and I'm very glad the suspect quickly let go, but I did question the police officer in that split second. But I guess that's why they're the professionals and I am not!!

In too many cases where LE shoots at a perp when they are this close together, LE misses and hits the victim instead.

 

[LadyL]

There was no reason to shoot him.
He was an unarmed, naked 18 year old in obvious crisis.

Very likely LE knows the family and handled the situation in a way that would be most compassionate to the surviving family members (Including the mentally ill teen.).

Just out of curiosity, why would you have shot him?

he was out of control not responding to commands and tried to strangle a man
seemed dangerous to me

 

[Momof4RN]

I certainly thought he should have immediately been taken to a secure mental health facility for evaluation and treatment. I hope this is what this is.



In too many cases where LE shoots at a perp when they are this close together, LE misses and hits the victim instead.

Me too. I was surprised when they reported he was taken from hospital and booked into jail that evening prior to having mental health evaluation. But as is often unfortunately the case maybe there were no beds available until today.

 

[moonriverfarm]

Where is the father of the shooter?

 

[Momof4RN]

he was out of control not responding to commands and tried to strangle a man
seemed dangerous to me

As a nurse on a neuro floor I can tell you that i have had many “dangerous” patients like this. Wether it be a brain disease or mental health issue they are beyond the ability to reason with or follow commands and are often hostile and violent putting many of us healthcare workers at risk of harm but we can’t just go shooting them.

 

[SuziQ]

Unfazed by pepper spray and running around naked sounds like he was into either bath salts, PCP, or smoking spice. JMO

IMO, he looks tormented and scared in his mugshot. I always wonder what people like this feel when clarity hits them. And they realize what they've done. For instance, many of us, after a few too many drinks the night before, cringe at having said or done something inappropriate. But can you imagine something like this?I

Sending prayers for family, friends, and community.

 

[Lillymac]

Autopsies on all the victims have been completed, though Taylor said a cause and manner of death had not yet been confirmed. He did confirm that a firearm was involved in the incident, though said he could not confirm further details due to the ongoing investigation.
VIDEO: Police identify victims in Pittsylvania County triple murder; suspect on suicide watch

It's too bad they are not waiting on his autopsy results.

 

[Simply Southern]

A copy of the criminal complaint. Anyone try I g to look up information thru the court it will be Chatham, VA for Pittsylvania County. This is a really, really small court house.

Neighbor says suspect in triple murder punched her in the arm

 

[imstilla.grandma]

A copy of the criminal complaint. Anyone try I g to look up information thru the court it will be Chatham, VA for Pittsylvania County. This is a really, really small court house.

Neighbor says suspect in triple murder punched her in the arm

You come through for us again. Thanks.

 

[Kadoober]

A copy of the criminal complaint. Anyone try I g to look up information thru the court it will be Chatham, VA for Pittsylvania County. This is a really, really small court house.

Neighbor says suspect in triple murder punched her in the arm

This case is distressing enough as it is, but to read about two visible GSWs and that sledgehammer just takes it to a new level of horror.

 

[Niner]

Following.... have not found him in either General or Circuit court sites.

 

[Tink60]

Most LE rarely have to draw much less fire their weapon. Regardless of the horror of what this deranged young man did, moo the staties acted appropriately for the situation.
What a tragedy