Closure Found: Remains of Mother and Daughter Discovered 24 Years Later Due to Suspect's Deathbed Confession
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a father in West Virginia finds closure as the long-lost remains of his daughter and her mother are unearthed, thanks to a recent deathbed confession by the suspected shooter. This discovery brings an end to a nearly two-decade-old cold case, offering a glimmer of justice and peace to the grieving family.
A West Virginia father is finally finding closure after the remains of his young daughter and her mother were discovered. The discovery was made following a deathbed confession from the man suspected of shooting them almost twenty years ago.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Benjamin Hatfield, the prosecuting attorney for Raleigh County, described the situation as "a bit of a poetic ending that not even I could write."
Larry Webb recently made a deathbed confession to one of the investigators in the case, admitting to fatally shooting Natasha “Alex” Carter and her mother, Susan Carter nearly 24 years ago. Webb explained that the incident occurred in 2000 when the Carters were living at his home. He suspected Susan Carter of taking some of his cash and after an argument, he shot her. Feeling he had no choice but to avoid detection for killing Susan, Webb also shot Alex.
Webb admitted to the investigator that he kept their bodies in his basement. He then spent two nights digging a shallow grave in the woods on his property, where he buried them together.
On Tuesday, Alex's father, Rick Lafferty, expressed mixed emotions, saying it was a sad day but also a happy one because he could finally bring his baby home.
Lafferty mentioned that this case has been unsolved for around 24 years and there were moments when they almost lost hope. Authorities stated that Webb had been a suspect since the beginning of the investigation.
In October 2023, Webb was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Alex, even though neither Carter nor Alex's bodies had been found yet. Before the charge, investigators had DNA evidence and statements from witnesses, according to Hatfield.
However, after the charge was made, the court proceedings were delayed due to Webb's health. Hatfield explained that Webb's health issues led to challenges in moving forward with the case. Webb was eventually transferred to a nursing home, but there were difficulties with transportation and obtaining medical clearance for his incarceration. This made it challenging to progress through the court process in the initial stages.
Before a court date earlier this month, one of the investigators had a conversation with Webb at his nursing home. Webb admitted to the murders, explaining why he did it and where he hid the bodies on his property.
Hatfield mentioned, "The confession matched perfectly with the investigation and the evidence gathered by the authorities."
Authorities started digging on April 9, but it was challenging because Webb's directions to the location were unclear due to his memory and health issues at the time.
On the same day, investigators took Webb to the site, but his poor health made the search unsuccessful.
Web was moved from the hospice unit at Mount Olive Correctional Complex to Montgomery General Hospital, where he passed away on Monday morning, according to Hatfield.
Later in the day, Hatfield mentioned that the bodies of Susan and Alex Carter were discovered.
The remains are currently with the coroner's office as the investigation continues.
Lafferty shared some words of advice on Tuesday for those who may be in a similar situation: "Just keep holding on. Don't lose hope in the search for your child."
Editor's P/S:
The discovery of Natasha "Alex" Carter and her mother's remains brings a bittersweet closure to a tragic case that has haunted her family for nearly two decades. While there is sadness in knowing the fate of their loved ones, there is also relief and a sense of justice that comes from finally knowing the truth. The deathbed confession of Larry Webb, the suspect in the murders, provides a sense of resolution and closure for the family, who can now lay their loved ones to rest.
This case highlights the resilience and determination of families who never give up hope of finding their missing loved ones. Despite the passage of time and the challenges they faced, Alex's father never lost hope and continued to search for answers. His unwavering belief and the persistence of law enforcement officials ultimately led to the discovery of the bodies and the confession of the perpetrator. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and justice can prevail.
