Florida police are investigating the murder of an elderly woman and her two sons killed in their Pensacola home. Police believe it was part of a ritual.
The murders happened July 31, the night of the blue moon – an astronomical phenomenon that occurs once every three years. Police think it wasn't a coincidence the killings happened on that night.
A spokeswoman for the sheriff's office told CNN there are "some indications in the investigation that witchcraft may have been involved."
"We believe the weapon was a claw hammer. Multiple blows were struck on each victim. Their throats were slit also," Sheriff David Morgan said in a press conference.
A spokesman for the sheriff's office told NBC further evidence that points to the suspected killer having a ritualistic motive include "the injuries to the victims, the positions of the bodies and also the person of interest right now is also a practitioner."
Police checked the family's home after a co-worker of one of the sons reported his absence from work. (Video via WALA)
"It's a frightening thing to think about, especially if you have small children," neighbor Ken Lester told WALA.
There were no signs of a forced break-in. According to the Pensacola News Journal, none of the neighbors police interviewed had ever been inside the house. No suspect has been charged yet.
This video includes an image from Getty Images.
