An Alabama man has been accused of killing a veteran and his wife. However, as reported by the New York Post, he praised them on social media continually for years.
The man was identified as 46-year-old George Birmingham, who was arrested and charged with the murder of Justin Elrod and his wife, Lena. Authorities reported that they had both tragically been found dead at 12:15am on July 19 after a suspected burglary.
But it was just three days before they were found dead that the alleged murderer had made a post praising them. He was musing about a hypothetical Mars trip for colonization purposes.
...And he named the veteran and his wife directly. "Justin Elrod and Lena Bass Elrod are a must [on the trip]," he wrote. "No one listens better than him ,and no one is more fun to argue with than her."
After naming a few more people, he ended the post with a joking statement. "Now that I think about it, they probably wouldnt want our tribe. But im very thankful for them. I love you guys!"
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He Praised the Veteran for Years
But that's not where the digital footprint ends. He had posted about them several times before.
In June 2018 post, he wrote, "some of my favorite ladies," alongside a picture of one of the Elrod family's daughters.
He also posted about them in February 2017, where he shared a GoFundMe campaign to help support one of the children of the veteran. "This family is very dear to my heart," he wrote. He also had hosted a benefit comedy show to further support with the costs.
Police Don't Know What Happened
Despite the fact that Birmingham has been arrested, police still haven't been able to fully figure out a motive. One thing that is clear, however, is that he was definitely known to the veteran and his family.
The mayor of Aliceville, Alabama, where the Elrods lived, described the veteran as a "hard worker" who was "humble". "He survived the military, survived working in the prison, and now, this situation, it just makes it even worse."
Rest in peace. What a tragic situation.
