The retired District Judge of Williamson County, Alfred “Burt” Carnes, and his wife, Susan Carnes, were found dead in their rural Texas home, victims of shotgun blasts. The alleged perpetrator, their 45-year-old son Seth Carnes, now faces capital murder charges and the possibility of the death penalty under Texas law.
The horrifying incident unfolded on Monday night, culminating in the arrest of Seth Carnes, who allegedly confessed to fatally shooting both of his parents. The motive behind the brutal slayings took a chilling turn when it was revealed that Seth’s refusal to take a sleeping aid played a pivotal role.
According to an arrest affidavit cited by Fox 7 Austin, Seth claimed he did not want to take a sleeping pill, leading to a disturbing confrontation that ended in the death of his parents. Seth acknowledged shooting them with a Remington 870 shotgun kept on the nightstand in the converted garage where he lived.
More Read
In a perplexing twist, Seth stated that he believed his mother was attempting to give him a sleeping pill he refused to take, offering an inexplicable motive for the violence. When questioned about why he shot his father, Seth chillingly responded, “I was just looking for something and figured I would finish it off.”
The disturbing nature of the crime has left investigators grappling with the shocking brutality within the Carnes family home. Events unfolded when Seth Carnes’ daughter made a distressing call to 911 just before midnight on Monday, reporting that her grandfather had been shot.
Deputies from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office rushed to the scene, finding Seth Carnes waiting outside. He allegedly admitted to the officers that he had just killed his parents.
Upon entering the house, officers discovered the lifeless body of Alfred Carnes in the living room, with a shotgun and a spent shell nearby. Susan Carnes’ body was found in her son’s bedroom. The former judge had injuries to his elbow, inner forearm, and left side of his ribcage, while his wife suffered gunshot wounds in the left shoulder and collarbone, despite paramedics’ efforts to save her.
“The preliminary investigation suggests that the murders resulted from a disagreement, escalating into family violence and death,” the sheriff’s office stated.
The shocking nature of the crime has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly considering Alfred “Burt” Carnes’ esteemed position as a retired District Judge. Alfred Carnes, hailing from a family of law enforcement officers, retired from the 368th District Court in 2013 after 24 years of service on the bench. Susan Carnes, a retired elementary school teacher, was described as a “pillar of the community.”
The tragic incident has left friends, family, and the community in deep distress. Commander John Foster of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family affected by this heartbreaking event.”
Seth Carnes is now held in the Williamson County Jail without bond, facing capital murder charges that could lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty under Texas law.
