An Alabama man is facing capital murder charges in the deaths of Justin and Lena Elrod, a military veteran and his wife, despite having posted extensively about them online for approximately a decade, portraying them as close friends. George Birmingham, 46, was arrested early Sunday morning after the couple was discovered dead at their Reform, Alabama, home.
Authorities responded to a report of a burglary at the Elrods' residence around 12:15 a.m. Sunday, according to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office. While a definitive motive has not yet been established, officials have stated that Birmingham was an acquaintance of the Elrods.
Social media posts reviewed by Fox News Digital indicate a long-standing connection between Birmingham and the couple, with posts referencing the Elrods dating back nearly 10 years. In one June 16 Facebook post, Birmingham included Justin and Lena Elrod in a hypothetical list of friends he would want to accompany him on a Mars colonization trip. He wrote of Justin, "no one listens better than him," and of Lena, "no one is more fun to argue with than her," concluding the post with "I love you guys!"
In February 2017, Birmingham shared a GoFundMe campaign for one of the Elrods' children, stating, "This family is very dear to my heart." He also hosted a benefit comedy show in May of that year to assist with the child's medical expenses.
Further posts from June 2018 show Birmingham referring to the Elrod family, including one that featured a photo of one of their daughters. Court records indicate that Lena Elrod was allegedly killed with an electric saw, and Justin Elrod was struck in the head with a metallic object.
Friends and local officials described Justin Elrod as a hard worker and a humble individual. Aliceville Mayor Terrence Windham noted that Elrod had survived his military service and a career working in corrections, making his death particularly tragic.
Birmingham is also suspected in a separate burglary that preceded the alleged killings. He has been charged with one count of capital murder, two counts of murder, one count of burglary, and additional drug-related charges. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 20.