Double homicide investigation continues, suspect in custody

HANNAH COLLINS | Holmes County Advertiser

A Bonifay man is in custody in connection to a double homicide that took place over the weekend. 

26-year-old Jesse Joe Raby was apprehended early Monday morning following a manhunt operation conducted by the Bonifay Police Department with assistance from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Law enforcement officials say the investigation centers around an incident that occurred between Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26, that led to the discovery of two deceased persons – one male and one female – at a McLaughlin Avenue home in Bonifay. According to reports, officers discovered the bodies shortly after midnight Sunday while responding to a request for a welfare check at the residence 

Once on scene, officers reportedly could not get anyone to answer the door but observed through an exterior window that what appeared to be a deceased person was lying on the kitchen floor. Law enforcement officials say that upon gaining entry to the home, they located a second body in a bedroom. Based on preliminary evidence found at the scene, the Bonifay Police Department identified Raby as a person of interest. According to the Bonifay Police Department, Raby was apprehended early Monday at the same McLaughlin Avenue home.

According to reports, Raby had fled the scene after the homicides but had returned to the home, where he was taken into custody by a joint task force comprised of the U.S. Marshals and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office. He was traced back to the home by authorities following several leads developed from his movements the previous day. 

Bonifay Police Chief Johnny Whitaker states that while ensuring the scene and surrounding area remained undisturbed, officers noticed someone had entered the residence through a window. Inside, they discovered Raby in a bedroom located on the northeast side of the home. Raby was transported to the Holmes County Jail where he was booked on two counts of second-degree murder. 

“Collaborative resources and investigative efforts were key to the swift arrest,” said Chief Whitaker. 

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, Chief Whitaker was not yet able to expound on Raby’s relationship to the victims or officially release their names; however, he states more details will be released as they become available.