FULTON, Miss. (BNc) — A retired preacher and his wife were found murdered at home late Friday night.

Fred and Mildred Joy House, ages 77 and 79, were found by their son Tom at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Tom preaches for the Plainview congregation, in the Fulton area (see his Polishing the Pulpit bio).

Itawamba County Sheriff’s Department apprehended Jake H. Carpenter, 29, of Fulton, as a suspect in the homicides, according to WTVA, after he was found driving the couple’s car in Russellville, Ala., early Saturday morning.

Fred had preached for Shades Mountain congregation in Birmingham, Ala., according to David Courington. He preached in Alamo, Tenn., in the 1980s, wrote Tom Childers, as well as in Miss.

Carpenter lives on the same street as the Houses. He had been recently released from prison, according to BNc sources. With robbery as a motive, the suspect will be charged with capital murder.

According to the local sheriff, Carpenter was involved in the Lee County Jail escape resulting in the death of jailer Casey Harmon in the 1990s. He was convicted for accessory after the fact, grand larceny, and jail escape, but had served his time, the Itawamba County Times reported today. 

The Times website reported that Carpenter, intent on robbery, entered the House’s home mid-morning on Thursday. An altercation allegedly ensued, and the suspect stabbed both victims repeatedly.

Reactions from family and friends were recorded Mar. 28 on the WTVA website.

Visitation will be held Thursday at the Senter Funeral Home in Fulton from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

The funeral itself will be held Friday at the Davis Event Center on the ICC campus, starting at 6 p.m.

Updated Mar. 29, 9:17. CT.

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