'Absolutely heartbroken': Pregnant Amish woman found in home with throat slit and allegedly scalped, suspect arrested

A Pennsylvania man found his pregnant Amish wife dead in their home lying in a pool of blood. Her throat had been cut, and she appeared to have been scalped during the grisly attack, according to NBC News.

Shawn Cranston, 52, was arrested on Saturday and charged with the murder of Rebekah Byler, 23. She was reportedly murdered in her isolated farmhouse in February, but no motive has yet been established in the case.

An affidavit indicated that Andy Byler, Rebekah's husband, came home and discovered his wife "laying on her back in a pool of blood in the living room of the residence." Her throat had been cut, and the authorities on the scene suggested that "a scalping type wound [was found on] her head," per court documents.

The New York Post reported that the pregnant mother of two had also been shot. Byler's two children, ages two and three, were in the house when her body was discovered, but they were not harmed in the horrific attack.

Cranston has been charged with criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary, and criminal trespass. The Post reported that he is being held at the Crawford County Jail without bail.

A criminal complaint indicated Cranston was a truck driver and has been accused of "shooting [Byler] in the head and/or slashing her throat."

A woman who identified herself as Cranston's foster daughter said she believes the killing is a case of mistaken identity, per WXFP. "Like I could never picture my dad being that cold-hearted monster. Never in a million years," the woman said, who did not want to be named.

The Post reported that the family who lived in the Byler's home a few years before had adopted Cranston's grandson, and he reportedly wanted him back. The woman said, “Supposedly she started yelling at him, coming in, then that’s when boom, all it took."

“It’s just horrifying to think that. … As far as I know, he just wanted his grandson back.”

Following the attack, the authorities found and arrested Cranston outside a Dollar General store next to his home. One resident in the area, Charleen Hajec, said the brutal killing was a huge shock to the community.

“We’re just a very tight-knit community, and I’m just absolutely heartbroken that this has happened,” she said.

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