Pennsylvania State Police troopers searched a residence on Fish Flats Road in Sparta Township, Crawford County, on Tuesday in their investigation into the suspected homicide of a 23-year-old Amish woman.Photo:TIM HAHN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS/USA TODAY NETWORK
TIM HAHN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS/USA TODAY NETWORK
A suspect has been arrested in the murder of a 23-year-old pregnant Amish woman.
The victim was six months pregnant with her third child at the time of her death,ABC 6reported.
Cranston was also charged with the homicide of Byler’s unborn child and faces life sentences for each crime. He is also accused of burglary and bodily injury crime, for which he could face a 20–year sentence, and trespassing, for which he could receive a 7-year sentence, per the court documents.
According to theErie Times-News, this is thought to be the first homicide within this Amish community in the state since 1993.
Byler’s husband is said to have discovered her body inside the family’s home, according to ABC 6.
Pennsylvania State Police previously told the outlet that authorities were “aggressively investigating all available leads” ahead of Cranston’s arrest.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Spartanburg resident Randy Eaton shared his reaction to the homicides with ABC 6. “It’s definitely shameful that anything like this could go on here. Everyone’s surprised," he said.
“We’re just a very tight-knit community and I’m just absolutely heartbroken that this has happened,” she said.
source: people.com
