cedar county – Michmutters
Categories
US

How Nebraska law enforcement found evidence linking man to Laurel homicides

Investigators said a string of physical evidence at two crime scenes led them to the man suspected of killing four people Thursday in Laurel, Nebraska. Court documents reveal how Nebraska law enforcement compiled evidence against the 42-year-old Jason Jones, who was found by a state patrol SWAT team badly burned in his home across the street from one of the murder scenes. Around 3:11 am, Laurel Fire and EMS arrived at the first crime scene and located a woman “lying inside the back door of the residence in a pool of blood,” according to court documents.The woman, identified as 53-year-old Michele Ebeling, was pronounced dead on the scene.According to court documents, Ebeling appeared to have suffered two gunshot wounds, one to the chest and one to the head. Burn marks were observed on the floor, walls and furniture at the first crime scene, indicating a fire had occurred, according to court documents. First responders also observed the smell of smoke and the smell of gasoline from inside the house. According to court documents, law enforcement also saw a red fuel container inside the front door of the residence and a “discolored trail on the floor,” indicating an accelerant was used. After obtaining a search warrant, officers located a black backpack in the kitchen of the first residence, according to court documents. Several receipts were inside the backpack, including one dated Aug. 3 at 4:41 pm, to a Cubby’s Gas Station in Laurel. The credit card used for the purchase was in Jason Jones’ name. There was also a receipt to Fleet Farm in Sioux City for the purchase of a 6-gallon auto shutoff gas can, along with a fuel tank and camping backpack. A third receipt was to Rath’s Mini Mart in Laurel, dated Aug. 3 at 7:49 pmAccording to court documents, law enforcement found security camera video at Rath’s Mini Mart that shows Jones pumping gas into two cans just before 8 pm on Wednesday.At the second crime scene, first responders found smoke and soot damage consistent with a fire, according to court documents. Law enforcement found three deceased parties, all with gunshot wounds, inside the residence. The three victims at the second residence were identified as 86- year-old Gene Twiford, 85-year-old Janet Twiford and 55-year-old Dana Twiford.Further investigation of the scene showed a pry bar was used to gain access to the rear door of the residence, which investigators found on the ground near the rear door, according to court documents. A magazine to a firearm was also found in this area, and law enforcement found a firearm and a Molotov cocktail inside the residence, according to court documents. The firearm found in the residence was identified as a black Ruger 57, which records showed was purchased by Jones in 2021, according to court documents. When Jones was taken into custody, law enforcement said he had severe burns. Nebraska State Police said he was airlifted to a Lincoln hospital and is in serious condition as of Friday morning. According to court documents, Jones was arrested on four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and four counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony.

Investigators said a string of physical evidence at two crime scenes led them to the man suspected of killing four people Thursday in Laurel, Nebraska.

Court documents reveal how Nebraska law enforcement compiled evidence against the 42-year-old Jason Jones, who was found by a state patrol SWAT team badly burned in his home across the street from one of the murder scenes.

Around 3:11 am, Laurel Fire and EMS arrived at the first crime scene and located a woman “lying inside the back door of the residence in a pool of blood,” according to court documents.

The woman, identified as 53-year-old Michele Ebeling, was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to court documents, Ebeling appeared to have suffered two gunshot wounds, one to the chest and one to the head.

Burn marks were observed on the floor, walls and furniture at the first crime scene, indicating a fire had occurred, according to court documents. First responders also observed the smell of smoke and the smell of gasoline from inside the house.

According to court documents, law enforcement also saw a red fuel container inside the front door of the residence and a “discolored trail on the floor,” indicating an accelerant was used.

After obtaining a search warrant, officers located a black backpack in the kitchen of the first residence, according to court documents. Several receipts were inside the backpack, including one dated Aug. 3 at 4:41 pm, to a Cubby’s Gas Station in Laurel. The credit card used for the purchase was in Jason Jones’ name. There was also a receipt to Fleet Farm in Sioux City for the purchase of a 6-gallon auto shutoff gas can, along with a fuel tank and camping backpack. A third receipt was to Rath’s Mini Mart in Laurel, dated Aug. 3 at 7:49 pm

According to court documents, law enforcement found security camera video at Rath’s Mini Mart that shows Jones pumping gas into two cans just before 8 pm on Wednesday.

At the second crime scene, first responders found smoke and soot damage consistent with a fire, according to court documents.

Law enforcement found three deceased parties, all with gunshot wounds, inside the residence.

The three victims at the second residence were identified as 86-year-old Gene Twiford, 85-year-old Janet Twiford and 55-year-old Dana Twiford.

Further investigation of the scene showed a pry bar was used to gain access to the rear door of the residence, which investigators found on the ground near the rear door, according to court documents. A magazine to a firearm was also found in this area, and law enforcement found a firearm and a Molotov cocktail inside the residence, according to court documents.

The firearm found in the residence was identified as a black Ruger 57, which records showed was purchased by Jones in 2021, according to court documents.

When Jones was taken into custody, law enforcement said he had severe burns. Nebraska State Police said he was airlifted to a Lincoln hospital and is in serious condition as of Friday morning.

According to court documents, Jones was arrested on four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and four counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony.

.

Categories
US

Laurel, Nebraska homicides: Here’s what we know

A total of four people were found dead early Thursday morning at two separate homes in a northeast Nebraska town. James A. Jones, 42, was taken into custody in Laurel, Nebraska, and is being treated at a Lincoln hospital for severe burns. The motive for the homicides is unknown at this time. Here’s everything we’ve learned so far about what happened. The incidents Around 3 am Thursday, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an explosion at a residence in Laurel. Fire teams found a person dead inside the home, located in the 500 block of Elm Street. Around the same time, another fire was reported at a residence in the 200 block of Elm Street. Three people were found dead at the second residence. Nebraska State Patrol also believes gunfire played a role in the deaths and fire investigators believe that accelerants may have been used in each of the fires, according to authorities. The suspectCrime scene investigators found evidence that linked Jason Jones, a Laurel resident, to the homicides . After attempts for Jones to exit the home voluntarily, the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team entered the home and found the 42-year-old with severe burn injuries, according to law enforcement. NSP said he was airlifted to a Lincoln hospital and is in serious condition as of Friday morning. According to court documents, Jones was arrested on four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and four courts of use of a firearm to commit a felony. No motive is known at this time. Records obtained by KETV NewsWatch 7 indicate Jones lived in Omaha at one point. He’s linked to one Omaha rental property for six months in 2019 and 2020, along with a second Omaha address with no date on the entry. Jones also had multiple residences in Texas and Oklahoma during the early 2000s and his move to Cedar County took place in 2018. The victims The victim at the first residence, located in the 200 block of Elm Street, was identified as 53-year-old Michele Ebeling, according to the Nebraska State Patrol. Investigators believe she was shot at least twice. They found backpack in the home with receipts linked to the purchase of gasoline and gas cans using a credit card belonging to James Jones. The three victims at the second residence, located in the 500 block of Elm Street, were identified as 86-year-olds. old Gene Twiford, 85-year-old Janet Twiford and 55-year-old Dana Twiford. Investigators say there is evidence a pry bar was used to gain access to the home. Inside, they found a gun purchased by Jones in February, 2021. Gene Twiford was part of the Nebraska American Legion and was a past department commander for District 6. On Facebook, the post shared a photo and asked for thoughts and prayers for his family of the. The pot said Gene was instrumental in getting Highway 20 renamed as the Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway. He received letters of support from every community and county along the 432-mile stretch. The highway earned its name designation in January 2020.

A total of four people were found dead early Thursday morning at two separate homes in a northeast Nebraska town.

James A. Jones, 42, was taken into custody in Laurel, Nebraska, and is being treated at a Lincoln hospital for severe burns. The motive for the homicides is unknown at this time.

Here’s everything we’ve learned so far about what happened.

incidents

Around 3 am Thursday, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an explosion at a residence in Laurel. Fire teams found a person dead inside the home, located in the 500 block of Elm Street.

Around the same time, another fire was reported at a residence in the 200 block of Elm Street.

Three people were found dead at the second residence.

The Nebraska State Patrol also believes gunfire played a role in the deaths and fire investigators believe that accelerants may have been used in each of the fires, according to authorities.

The suspect

Crime scene investigators found evidence that linked Jason Jones, a Laurel resident, to the homicides.

After attempts for Jones to exit the home voluntarily, the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team entered the home and found the 42-year-old with severe burn injuries, according to law enforcement.

NSP said he was airlifted to a Lincoln hospital and is in serious condition as of Friday morning.

According to court documents, Jones was arrested on four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and four courts of use of a firearm to commit a felony.

No motive is known at this time.

Records obtained by KETV NewsWatch 7 indicate Jones lived in Omaha at one point.

He’s linked to one Omaha rental property for six months in 2019 and 2020, along with a second Omaha address with no date on the entry.

Jones also had multiple residences in Texas and Oklahoma during the early 2000s and his move to Cedar County took place in 2018.

The victims

The victim at the first residence, located in the 200 block of Elm Street, was identified as 53-year-old Michele Ebeling, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

Investigators believe she was shot at least twice. They found backpack in the home with receipts linked to the purchase of gasoline and gas cans using a credit card belonging to James Jones.

The three victims at the second residence, located in the 500 block of Elm Street, were identified as 86-year-old Gene Twiford, 85-year-old Janet Twiford and 55-year-old Dana Twiford.

Investigators say there is evidence a pry bar was used to gain access to the home. Inside, they found a gun purchased by Jones in February, 2021.

Gene Twiford was part of the Nebraska American Legion and was a past department commander for District 6.

On Facebook, the post shared a photo and asked for thoughts and prayers for his family.

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The pot said Gene was instrumental in getting Highway 20 renamed as the Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway.

I have received letters of support from every community and county along the 432-mile stretch.

The highway earned its name designation in January 2020.

.

Categories
US

Nebraska State Patrol says arrest made in relation to 4 homicides in Laurel

A 42-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with the four homicides early Thursday morning in Laurel, Nebraska, according to the state patrol. Crime scene investigators found evidence that linked Jason Jones, a Laurel resident, to the homicides. After attempts for Jones to exit the home voluntarily, the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team entered the home and found Jones with severe burn injuries, according to law enforcement. NSP said he was airlifted to a Lincoln hospital and is in serious condition as of Friday morning. The Nebraska State Patrol also believes gunfire played a role in the deaths at two separate homes in the northeast Nebraska town. Around 3 am, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an explosion at a residence in Laurel and fire teams found a person dead inside the home, according to the Nebraska State Patrol. The victim at the first residence was identified as 53- year-old Michele Ebeling, according to the Nebraska State Patrol. As investigators arrived at the scene, a second fire was reported a few blocks away, authorities said. Three people were found dead in the second residence and fire crews worked to preserve evidence while putting out the fire, the state patrol said. The three victims at the second residence were identified as 86-year-old Gene Twiford, 85-year-old Janet Twiford and 55-year-old Dana Twiford. Fire investigators believe that accelerants may have been used in each of the fires, according to authorities. Officials are waiting on autopsies for the cause of death. The Nebraska State Patrol said there is no danger to the Laurel community as a result of the arrest.

A 42-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with the four homicides early Thursday morning in Laurel, Nebraska, according to the state patrol.

Crime scene investigators found evidence that linked Jason Jones, a Laurel resident, to the homicides.

After attempts for Jones to exit the home voluntarily, the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team entered the home and found Jones with severe burn injuries, according to law enforcement. NSP said he was airlifted to a Lincoln hospital and is in serious condition as of Friday morning.

The Nebraska State Patrol also believes gunfire played a role in the deaths at two separate homes in the northeast Nebraska town.

Around 3 am, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an explosion at a residence in Laurel and fire teams found a person dead inside the home, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

The victim at the first residence was identified as 53-year-old Michele Ebeling, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

As investigators arrived at the scene, a second fire was reported a few blocks away, authorities said.

Three people were found dead in the second residence and fire crews worked to preserve evidence while putting out the fire, the state patrol said.

The three victims at the second residence were identified as 86-year-old Gene Twiford, 85-year-old Janet Twiford and 55-year-old Dana Twiford.

Fire investigators believe that accelerants may have been used in each of the fires, according to authorities.

Officials are waiting on autopsies for the cause of death.

The Nebraska State Patrol said there is no danger to the Laurel community as a result of the arrest.

.