{"id":365830,"date":"2026-08-08T01:42:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/365830\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:42:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:42:08","slug":"search-still-on-for-double-homicide-suspect-wakulla-county-sheriffs-office-shares-investigative-details","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/365830\/","title":{"rendered":"Search still on for double homicide suspect, Wakulla County Sheriff\u2019s Office shares investigative details"},"content":{"rendered":"

WAKULLA COUNTY Fla. (WCTV) – A man suspected in a double homicide in Wakulla County<\/a> is still at large, according to the sheriff\u2019s office. <\/p>\n

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\u2019s office said Raker should be considered dangerous.<\/p>\n

WCSO took to social media on Friday, posting a pre-recorded statement sharing details of the investigation. <\/p>\n

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\u2019s arrest. <\/p>\n

\"WCSOWCSO is searching for Joseph Raker, who is wanted in connection with a double homicide.(Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office)<\/p>\n

WCSO said deputies responded to an \u201cinvestigative incident\u201d 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. <\/p>\n

Deputies responded to the area with \u201climited information,\u201d according to the sheriff\u2019s office. A \u201chasty search\u201d was conducted and no one was found to be in need of medical treatment. The sheriff\u2019s office said they were not looking for evidence, but for people who needed medical assistance.<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

WCSO said Luper and Thomas were not on scene Sunday night and neither were any others. <\/p>\n

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\u2019t know how or when Raker reentered the property. <\/p>\n

He was taken to hospital by ambulance for smoke inhalation. <\/p>\n

WCSO said deputies interviewed Raker at the hospital. He \u201cminimized his involvement in the disappearance of John and Rebecca,\u201d according to WCSO. <\/p>\n

The sheriff\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Search teams arrived to the Otter Creek Road property Monday and began searching the area. <\/a><\/p>\n

Luper\u2019s body was found concealed in heavy brush and covered with undergrowth in the St. Mark\u2019s Refuge. Later in the day, Thomas was found around 100 yards away, also covered in debris, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, the sheriff\u2019s office shared on social media they had obtained arrest warrants for Raker.<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we are unable to release certain information, it is not because we are unwilling to keep the public informed,\u201d Miller said.<\/p>\n

Major Eddie Wester called the investigation \u201cfluid\u201d and \u201cfast moving.\u201d <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

They are asking any one with information on Raker\u2019s whereabouts to call 911 or contact the Wakulla County Sheriff\u2019s Office at 850-745-7100.<\/p>\n

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