GIRL DISCOVERS BODIES OF MURDERED PARENTS

It happened at a mobile home park just off Highway 70 West in Garland County. Police say they received a call around 9:00 Wednesday morning from someone inside the home at 212 Candleberry Circle. 

Family members of the victims, 66-year-old Troy Mayberry and his wife 48-year-old Norma Jean, say it was the couple's 11-year-old daughter, Tiffany, calling to report their murders.

"She went to the bedroom to find out why her mommy hadn't woke her up and she found them and called 911," says Tiffany's aunt, Leta Love.

After several hours of processing the crime scene, police admit they have no clear answers as to what happened to the couple or who killed them.

With tears in her eyes, Love says, "Why? I just can't understand it?"

"There’s no crime, says neighbor Trent Pleau. "Just really a nice area to live. So, when you hear about something like this it just kinda makes your heart stop."

"There’s a lot of questions here," says Lt. Rodney Neighbors with the Garland County Sheriff's Department.

Lt. Neighbors tells us there was no forced entry to the Mayberry home and nothing stolen from inside. But, guns and a large amount of blood surrounded the bed where Jeanie’s 11-year-old daughter discovered their bodies.

Lt. Neighbors says, "We’re hoping the [medical examiner] can give us more of an idea of maybe what did take place." 

Family members of the victims and police say the couple, who had been married for three years, had no prior instances of domestic violence.

Cindy Shaffer, Norma Jean's sister, says, "It’s been about two weeks since I talked to her and seen her, and they were happy as can be. I didn't see any problems."

Police are questioning the couple’s 28-year-old son who was in the house with his little sister who woke up to the nightmare.

Shaffer says, "I can't imagine how she felt, and I know it's heartbreaking to her."

"It’s traumatic," says Lt. Neighbors. "The little girl was very composed. She did a good job of telling us what she did the night before and she was very composed about it, handled herself well under the circumstances."

And while the exact circumstances may not been known for awhile, it's clear few answers will be able to ease the pain for this family or this community.



 Alyson Courtney, Reporter   
Created: 4/13/2005 9:36:26 PM
Updated: 4/14/2005 10:21:01 AM