VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) – The family of one of the victims of an accused triple murderer is speaking out for the first time and mourning their loved one.
54-year-old Flay Rollins now faces three counts of murder — two in Leon County and one in Lowndes County. He is accused of shooting and killing his co-worker, Walter “Bo” Pettiford, on Jan. 16.
The family of Pettiford said their world is much quieter now, and many of the moments they once shared feel different without him.
Keontie Pettiford, one of Walter Pettiford’s daughters, said her father’s death is almost impossible to process.
“I can’t believe he is going to be a distant memory, because I don’t know how I am going to live my life without my father,” she said.
Lindsey Pettiford, Walter’s wife, said he was a true family man — someone who lived for his children.
“Even though he had boys, he still was a girl’s dad, and even though I watched him being raised in the house with the girls, I watched how they end up softening him because even though he come hard, he got a soft spot for his daughters,” she said.
Walter and his wife, Lindsey, were married for 18 years and raised six daughters together. In all, he had 12 children. They say their world was shattered when they learned of his death.
Annijah Pettiford, Walter Pettiford’s daughter, says it’s shocking to think someone he worked with could have killed him.
“My dad was like my best friend. I think I am taking his death hard because every year of my life, we always shared birthdays since it is by each other, and it’s like, since my birthday was yesterday, it felt empty without him,” she said.
The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office says Pettiford’s body was found off Skipper Bridge Road in Valdosta. Investigators say he died from a gunshot wound.
His family says they are still trying to come to terms with the loss.
“I’m waiting on him to like walk in to call me or to say he got the wrong person. I’m waiting on the person to be like, ‘Oh, that’s not my husband, it’s the wrong person.’ Because everything right now is just like not reality just yet,” Lindsey Pettiford said.
The family says the husband and father who cared for so many will never be forgotten — especially during milestone moments.
“This is my last year of school, and I am going to walk the stage knowing he’s not going to be there. He’s not going to be in the crowd seeing me graduate and stuff, so I don’t know, but I am going to try. It just don’t feel at home no more,” Keontie Pettiford said.
For now, the family is asking for support as they prepare for his memorial service this Saturday.
“If I was to see Walter one last time, I wouldn’t have to tell him I love him — because he already knows,” his wife said.
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