WAYCROSS, Ga. — Two arrests have been made in the deaths of Waycross, Georgia couple, Charles M. Barnett and Virginia D. Thomas, after they were found shot to death in their home on Monday.
Thomas' son, Bernard Rittenhouse, 55, was arrested in connection to their murder, officials said.
His wife, Janet Rittenhouse, age 53, was also charged, making her the latest arrest in the case.
A relative called police at 8:49 a.m. saying they had found the couple deceased, police said.
Thomas, 73, and Barnett, 75, were found in their bed with gunshot wounds, police said. The GBI says the couple lived in the 2900 block of S Lakeview Drive.
Bernard Rittenhouse was arrested at his home without incident and taken to the Ware County Jail Tuesday. He is facing charges for felony murder and burglary.
Janet Rittenhouse was charged with two counts of felony murder and one count of party to the crime of burglary.
“This is a truly sad and heinous crime that was committed on Mr. Barnett and Ms. Thomas. I would like to thank the GBI agents, as well as our Detectives and Deputies that have worked so tirelessly to ensure that justice can be done," Ware County Sheriff Carl James said in a statement.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the GBI Douglas Office at 912-389-4103 or the Ware County Sheriff's Office at 912-287-4327.
