CHATHAM, Va. – Pittsylvania County Sheriff Mike Taylor held a press conference Wednesday afternoon and released the names of the three people murdered in Keeling on Tuesday.
The victims were 62-year-old Joan Bernard; Emily Bernard Bivens, 25; and one-year-old Cullen Bivens.
Emily Bevins is the wife of Sutherlin native and Tampa Bay Rays AA pitcher, 24-year-old Blake Bivens. The sheriff confirmed that Cullen Bivens is their son. Joan Bernard is the mother of Emily Bivens.
Sheriff Taylor also confirmed that the defendant in the case – 18-year-old Matthew Bernard — is Emily Bivens brother. He faces three counts of first-degree murder in their deaths.