Body found in Ala. may be man wanted in murders of three woman and one child in Tennessee, police say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Amber McCaulley was one of four people found dead in Lincoln County, Tenn., on Oct. 22, 2012.

/ WTVF

(CBS/AP) FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn.- The bodies of three women and a toddler were found in two separate southern Tennessee homes Monday, and authorities say that another body found across the state line in Alabama is the man who was wanted for questioning in the murders.

On Monday, Tennessee officials found three women and an 18-month-old boy dead at two different homes in Lincoln County, about 100 miles south of Nashville.

On Tuesday authorities found a body that County Coroner Craig Whisenant said was Warren Vincent Crutcher, whose 3-year-old son was one of two children who survived the Tennessee attacks.

Whisenant said the cause of death fir Crutcher wasn't suicide. He also said a fatal shooting in Huntsville, Alabama, also may be related to the case.

The investigation started in Tennessee on Monday morning, said Sheriff Murray Blackwelder.

The 3-year-old boy, identified as Vincent Crutcher, called relatives saying he couldn't wake up anyone at his house, his godmother, Constance Winston, told WAFF-TV in Huntsville.

Family members went to the house and found all doors and windows locked but were able to coach the child into opening a garage door. When they reached inside to pull him out, they saw blood and called police.

When authorities arrived at the boy's home outside Fayetteville, they found his mother, 22-year-old Chabreya Campbell, and her 18-month-old son Rico Ragland dead. The body of 21-year-old Amber McCaulley of Huntsville, Ala., was also inside the home. According to CBS affiliate WTVF, Campbell was pregnant at the time of her death.

"I cannot imagine. I cannot imagine so it has to be something that's totally off the realm because there's no reason for anyone to have done something like this," the 3-year-old's godmother said.

Hours later, the body of 21-year-old Jessica Brown was found in her home in Fayetteville, Tenn. Her 2-month-old child was found in the home unharmed.

The cause of death hasn't been released and the bodies were sent for autopsies.

Tennessee authorities identified the elder Crutcher as a person of interest.

The body in Alabama was found in woods by utility crews, WAFF reported.

Blackwelder said Tuesday that he doesn't think there are more victims in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Children's Services had no prior involvement with Campbell, Crutcher or the children, spokeswoman Molly Sudderth said Tuesday. She said the slayings would lead DCS to open a case and, if needed, take the 3-year-old into state custody until permanent arrangements could be made.

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by ttipbc October 24, 2012 1:37 PM EDT: "Whisenant said the cause of death fir Crutcher wasn't suicide" - that should be FOR, not FIR. "Family members went to the house and found all doors and windows locked but were able to coach the child into opening a garage door" - that would be COAX, not COACH. Where did you so-called journalists get your degrees, & where are the editors?; Reply to this comment


by Sweetlady238 October 24, 2012 8:15 AM EDT: This has to have been committed by someone who has killed before and has been convicted of other crimes. If robbery wasn't a motive, it's got to be someone they knew.; Reply to this comment