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Murder of Rebekah Byler

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Murder of Rebekah Byler
DateFebruary 26, 2024 (2024-02-26)
LocationSparta Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Outcome1 death

On February 26, 2024, Rebekah A. Byler, a 23-year-old Amish woman, was murdered in her home near Spartansburg, Pennsylvania, by Shawn Cranston of Corry, Pennsylvania. Cranston was arrested four days after the murder, going on trial in June 2025. He was found guilty on burglary, trespassing, and two counts of homicide: one for Byler, and the other for her unborn child.

Event

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Byler's husband, Andy Byler, left the house in the morning with a neighbor, leaving Rebekah Byler, who was six months pregnant, with her two young children.[1][2][3]

Upon Andy Byler's return home around lunch time,[4] he and a family friend found Rebekah unresponsive in the living room. Police who arrived on the scene after the family friend called 911 noted Rebekah Byler had lacerations on her neck and head.[2][5] Byler's son and daughter, aged two and three, were unharmed.[5][6] Byler's son later told police that "a man wearing sneakers" had killed Rebekah.[4]

Investigation and trial

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Police initially had no suspects in the killing and asked the public for leads.[7] They did not initially details of Byler's death.[8]

On the evening of March 1, police arrested Shawn Cranston and launched a search of his home in Corry, Pennsylvania, about 8 miles (13 km) from the Byler home, which continued into the morning of March 2.[1][2] Cranston was arrested and charged with two counts of homicide, for the deaths of Rebekah and her fetus, as well as counts for burglary and trespassing.[9] He was held in Crawford County Correctional Facility after his arrest.[10] In late March, authorities seized sneakers and six guns and ammunition from Cranston's home.[4]

A preliminary hearing was held on March 15.[9][11] A trial was initially scheduled for November 2024, but was delayed to March 2025.[12] In February 2025, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office took over prosecution of Cranston due to staffing shortages in the Crawford County District Attorney's office.[13]

Cranston's trial was held at the Crawford County Judicial Center beginning on June 9, 2025. On June 12, 2025, a jury deliberated for less than three hours. Cranston was found guilty on all counts. He is due to be sentenced July 28, 2025.[14]

Reactions

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Community members set up a GoFundMe to raise money for Rebekah Byler's funeral and a new home for her husband and children.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b Cavallier, Andrea (March 3, 2024). "Pennsylvania man arrested in murder of pregnant Amish woman". The Independent. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Palattella, Ed; Hahn, Tim (March 2, 2024). "Police: Pregnant Amish woman shot, throat cut in killing that led to arrest of Corry man". Erie Times-News. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  3. ^ Neath, Amelia (March 4, 2024). "A pregnant Amish woman was murdered. Less than a week later a suspect has been arrested". The Independent. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Guns and sneakers were seized from a man accused of killing a pregnant Amish woman, police say". AP News. March 25, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Li, David K. (March 5, 2024). "Grisly details released about pregnant Amish woman found slain in Pennsylvania". NBC News. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Massing, Dana (March 6, 2024). "Fundraisers aim to benefit husband, children of Amish woman killed in Crawford County". Erie Times-News. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  7. ^ "A pregnant Amish woman is killed in her rural Pennsylvania home, and police have no suspects". AP News. February 28, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  8. ^ Suliman, Adela (February 29, 2024). "Police investigate killing of 23-year-old pregnant Amish mother". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Wardarski, Jessie; Scolforo, Mark (March 15, 2024). "Husband of slain pregnant Amish woman testifies his young children told him of the killing". AP News. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  10. ^ Fielding, Carol (June 26, 2024). "Amish murder trial moves forward". The Corry Journal. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  11. ^ "Over 10 witnesses already called in hearing for man accused of killing pregnant Amish woman". Meadville Tribune. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  12. ^ Hahn, Tim. "Trial date moved for Corry man accused of killing Amish woman, unborn child in Crawford". Erie Times-News. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  13. ^ Fish, Gavin (January 30, 2025). "Commonwealth Takes Over Prosecution of Man Charged in Killing of Pregnant Amish Woman". exploreClarion. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  14. ^ Mobilia, Jennifer (June 12, 2025). "Shawn Cranston found guilty of 2024 murder of pregnant Amish woman". Your Erie. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
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