On Thursday, August 25, 2016, the bodies of two Catholic nuns were discovered in a home in Mississippi. According to Fox News, it appears the women were shot, however, the official cause of death has not been released. Durant Assistant Police Chief James Lee said there were signs of a break-in, and the sister’s vehicle was missing. As the news spread about the discovery residents and fellow parishioners expressed grief and sadness.
ABC News reports that suspicion was raised when the two did not show for work at a local hospital on Thursday. The concern of their co-workers subsequently led to the discovery of the bodies by police. Lee who is also Catholic said, “I have an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach.”
Authorities have not revealed a motive and are unclear if the incident is tied to any of the religious work the pair was involved in, or recently performed. Both of the women worked in Durant, which is about 10 miles way from their home, a rural area of the state. Both nuns worked as nurse practitioners the Lexington Medical Center, and one of them is a member of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky, according to Independent.Ie. The other nun is a member of the School of Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee, WI.
[UPDATE] – Authorities arrest Rodney Sanders, 46, of Kosciusko, and accuse him of killing the two nuns. Sanders became a person of interest early in the investigation after the sisters were discovered on Thursday, according to the Washington Post. Sanders faces two counts of capital murder and is being held in a non-disclosed detention center while he awaits arraignment.
By Jireh Gibson
Sources:
The Washington Post: Suspect charged with capital murder in slaying of 2 Catholic nuns in Mississippi
ABC NEWS: 2 Nuns Found Slain in Mississippi Home; Motive Unclear
Fox News: Two Catholic nuns found murdered in Mississippi home
Independent.IE: Murder probe after two nuns found dead in Mississippi home
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