The wife, child and mother-in-law of a pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization were killed in a triple homicide Tuesday in Virginia.
Double-A pitcher Blake Bivens’ brother-in-law was charged with three counts of first-degree homicide, according to a report published by ESPN. A 911 phone call notified police of the homicides at 8 A.M. Tuesday morning.
Matthew Bernard, 18, led police on a community-wide manhunt and a short on-foot chase. Bernard was naked at the time of his arrest. The motive for the killings is unknown. The names of the victims have not been released, Pittsylvania County Sheriff Mike Taylor said. (RELATED: Man Dies After Taco-Eating Contest At Minor League Baseball Game)
“Earlier today we learned that Blake Bivens, a pitcher with our Double-A affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits, suffered a terrible family tragedy in southern Virginia,” the Rays organization said in a statement. “Our hearts are broken for Blake.”
A statement from CEO & Managing Owner, Lou DiBella. pic.twitter.com/Uocm0juKb7
— Montgomery Biscuits (@BiscuitBaseball) August 28, 2019
Bivens currently plays for the Montgomery Biscuits. The team cancelled a double header scheduled for Tuesday in Tennessee, and later released its own statement on the tragedy.
“First and foremost, the Biscuits thoughts and prayers are with Blake and all those who have been impacted by this tragedy,” the team tweeted. “We appreciate the outpouring of support and concern, but ask that you respect the privacy of the family during this difficult.”