WAKULLA COUNTY Fla. (WCTV) – A man suspected in a double homicide in Wakulla County is still at large, according to the sheriff’s office.
Joseph Raker is wanted on two counts of homicide in connection with the shooting death of Rebecca Thomas, 58, and John Luper III, 49 on Otter Creek Road over the weekend. The sheriff’s office said Raker should be considered dangerous.
WCSO took to social media on Friday, posting a pre-recorded statement sharing details of the investigation.
In the 17-minute video, Wakulla County Sheriff Jared Miller said there is now a reward of up to $10,000 being offered for information leading to Raker’s arrest.
WCSO is searching for Joseph Raker, who is wanted in connection with a double homicide.(Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office)
WCSO said deputies responded to an “investigative incident” at a Crawfordville business on Sunday, Aug. 2. The caller told police a person, who may have been intoxicated, was saying someone had been shot on Otter Creek Road.
Deputies responded to the area with “limited information,” according to the sheriff’s office. A “hasty search” was conducted and no one was found to be in need of medical treatment. The sheriff’s office said they were not looking for evidence, but for people who needed medical assistance.
Later that night, deputies searched the yard and found evidence that a fight had taken place on the property, according to WCSO. Deputies then pulled back from the scene, but maintained a perimeter as they waited for a search warrant.
WCSO said Luper and Thomas were not on scene Sunday night and neither were any others.
Around 1 a.m. on Monday, deputies noticed a fire coming from the property. When they approached the house, Raker was removed from the residence. WCSO said they don’t know how or when Raker reentered the property.
He was taken to hospital by ambulance for smoke inhalation.
WCSO said deputies interviewed Raker at the hospital. He “minimized his involvement in the disappearance of John and Rebecca,” according to WCSO.
The sheriff’s office said Raker was cooperative and implicated another person in the incident. He later arrived back on scene and offered to show deputies evidence, WCSO said. Raker was unable to point out any evidence but, at that time, there was no probable cause to detain him.
Search teams arrived to the Otter Creek Road property Monday and began searching the area.
Luper’s body was found concealed in heavy brush and covered with undergrowth in the St. Mark’s Refuge. Later in the day, Thomas was found around 100 yards away, also covered in debris, according to the sheriff’s office.
On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office shared on social media they had obtained arrest warrants for Raker.
In the video, Sheriff Miller addressed the concern and frustration from the community, saying he understands, but releasing information too early can compromise the investigation.
“When we are unable to release certain information, it is not because we are unwilling to keep the public informed,” Miller said.
Major Eddie Wester called the investigation “fluid” and “fast moving.”
Wester said he could not be specific on what technology they are using to track Raker, but that the U.S. Marshals Office is assisting in the search.
They are asking any one with information on Raker’s whereabouts to call 911 or contact the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office at 850-745-7100.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.