Police in Florida have said they believe a recent triple murder could be linked to witchcraft and a recent ‘blue moon’. Police are calling the killings a "ritualistic killing".
A 77-year-old woman, Voncile Smith, and her two sons, John and Richard, were found dead in their home on Friday, the BBC reports. Police have said they believe the bodies had been there for three days. The discovery was made when a co-worker of Richard Smith reported him missing.
The victims had suffered blunt force trauma and had had their throats cut. Richard Smith was shot in the head. Police say there were no signs of a break in.
The scene was described as "very complex", with the bodies positioned. The police have said they are investigating people “with ties to witchcraft”, the Washington Post reports.
"The elements of this case are odd, at best,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said, Reuters reports.
"We have a very reclusive family. Obviously we’ve canvassed the neighbourhood, spoken to people who’ve lived there for years and years. Neighbours have related to us that they’ve never met members of this family."
"Initial research has led us to believe it was a ritualistic killing," Morgan added.
The police linked the killings to a recent blue moon – a second full moon in the same month. There was a blue moon on July 31, three days after police say the family was killed.
"It appears that this might be connected to some type of Wiccan ritual killing and possibly tied to the blue moon," Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Andrew Hobbes said to NBC news.
