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Triple homicide investigated as ritualistic killing

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — A triple homicide in Florida is being investigated as a possible ritualistic killing connected to the recent blue moon, a sheriff said Tuesday.

The bodies of Voncile Smith, 77, and her sons Richard Smith, 49, and John Smith, 47, were discovered Friday in their Pensacola-area home, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said. He said investigators believe the family was killed the previous Tuesday, July 28, about 7 p.m.

“Initial research had led us to believe it was a ritualistic killing,” Morgan said, adding that police have identified a “person of interest” in the case.