A suspect has been arrested and charged in the deaths of a military veteran and his wife who were found dead in their Reform, Alabama, home early Sunday morning. George Birmingham faces charges including capital murder, murder, and burglary in connection with the deaths of Justin Elrod, 46, and Lena Elrod.
Pickens County Sheriff’s Office officials stated that Birmingham is accused of killing the couple before the burglary took place at their residence. Court records indicate Lena Elrod was allegedly killed with an electric saw, and Justin Elrod was stabbed or struck in the head with a metallic object.
Mugshot of George Birmingham, a white man with a beard and short hair, wearing an orange uniform.
Authorities have not yet established a motive for the killings, but investigators noted that Birmingham was an acquaintance of the Elrod couple. Aliceville Mayor Terrence Windham described Justin Elrod as a humble individual and a hard worker, expressing shock at the incident. "He was the last person that I would think that something like this would happen to," Windham said, noting Elrod’s past survival of military service and work in a federal prison.
Jason Burns, who worked with Justin Elrod at a federal prison, shared his disbelief and grief over his friend’s death.
The sheriff’s office has requested that the public keep the victims’ families, those affected by the tragedy, and the first responders in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.