Alabama sheriff details gruesome murders of veteran and wife inside their own home

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A military veteran along with his wife were both gruesomely killed during a burglary in Alabama, according to officials.

A 46-year-old man was arrested after allegedly killing a husband and wife found dead at their Reform, Alabama, home Sunday, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office said. Justin Elrod and his wife, Lena Elrod, were discovered dead at 12:15 a.m. following reports of a burglary. George Birmingham faces charges in their deaths, officials said.

Birmingham was arrested on charges of one count of capital murder, two counts of murder, one count of burglary and additional drug-related charges.

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Split image of two selfies showing Justin and Lena Elrod smiling together, one near a waterfront pier and one inside a distillery barrel room.

Court records indicate Birmingham was accused of killing Lena Elrod with an electric saw and stabbed or struck Justin Elrod in the head with a metallic object.

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Booking photo of George Birmingham, a bearded man in an orange jail uniform, standing in front of a height-measurement wall.

The sheriff’s office said Birmingham was accused of killing the husband and wife before the burglary inside their home.

According to WBRC, a motive hasn’t been established, but authorities said Birmingham was an “acquaintance” of the Elrods.

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Justin and Lena Elrod smiling closely together while holding paper cups printed with a mustache and lips design.

Aliceville Mayor Terrence Windham described Justin Elrod as a hard worker who was humble.

“He was a very humble guy, and he was the last person that I would think that something like this would happen to,” Windham said. “He survived the military, survived working in the prison, and now, this situation, it just makes it even worse.”

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Jason Burns, who was a co-worker with Justin Elrod at a federal prison, said he’s still at a loss that his friend was killed.

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Justin Elrod and his wife, Lena Elrod, embracing while posing for a photo on an outdoor overlook with a steel truss bridge in the background.

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“About every five minutes,” Burns said. “About every five minutes, I’m having that moment.”

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“We ask everyone to continue keeping the victims’ families, those affected by this tragedy, and the responding first responders in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said.

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