Anthony Garrett, triple homicide suspect in Mississippi, plunges to death from cellphone tower

(CBS) BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. - Bay St. Louis police say Anthony Garrett, a twice-convicted felon suspected of killing his mother, stepfather and girlfriend in their home, climbed a cell phone tower and plunged about 300 feet to his death.

According to The Sun Herald, authorities on Sunday identified victims in the Saturday triple homicides as Wilton Bernard Jr., 69, his wife, Jeanie Bernard, 66, and Kathleen Deese, 50.

Bay Deputy Police Chief Christine Johnson said Kathleen Deese was the suspect's girlfriend. The victims supposedly all lived together in a house at the corner of Citizen Street and Old Spanish Trail. Police said the three were found dead at 7:42 p.m. Saturday.

The alleged shooter, Garrett, 46, died later Saturday after authorities tried to talk him down from the cell tower. Police are unsure if he jumped or fell at this point in the investigation.

Witnesses reported Garrett shouted at officer and onlookers below, claiming he had killed his family with a hammer.

Autopsies of the victims were performed Sunday but law enforcement officials have not yet said how the three were killed.

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation are assisting in the investigation.

Two other people were killed Saturday in separate instances in Hancock County, marking what authorities said was the bloodiest 24 hours in recent memory for that area.

"It was like a double full moon," Waveland Police Chief Kenny Hurt told the newspaper.

"All of us officials and investigators have been talking about how we don't recall ever having this many at a time," he said. "We had a double homicide several years ago, but never anything like this."