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An Alabama man accused of killing a military veteran and his wife posted about the couple’s family for years as they appeared to be close friends, social media posts show
George Birmingham, 46, was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly killing Justin Elrod and his wife, Lena Elrod, who were discovered dead at 12:15 a.m. following reports of a burglary. Social media posts by Birmingham reveal he was close with the couple, speaking highly of them as recent as June 16.
Facebook posts reviewed by Fox News Digital show Birmingham and the couple appeared to have been close friends for roughly a decade, with posts mentioning the Elrods dating back nearly 10 years.
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Justin and Lena Elrod pose together at a scenic overlook. (Lena Elrod/Facebook)
In a June 16 Facebook post, Birmingham mused about a hypothetical Mars colonization trip and named the friends and family he’d want along for the ride, which included Justin and Lena Elrod. He wrote that “no one listens better than him, and no one is more fun to argue with than her,” before closing the post with, “I love you guys!”
“Now that I think about it, they probably wouldnt want our tribe,” Birmingham wrote as he jokingly ended the post. “But im very thankful for them.”
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A June 16 Facebook post from George Birmingham names Justin and Lena Elrod among those he’d want along on a hypothetical Mars trip, writing “no one listens better than him, and no one is more fun to argue with than her.” (George Birmingham/Facebook)
George Birmingham, 46, faces capital murder and additional charges in the deaths of Justin and Lena Elrod, according to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. (Pickens County Sheriff’s Office)
In February 2017, Birmingham also shared information about a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses for one of the Elrod’s children, writing, “This family is very dear to my heart.” That May, Birmingham even hosted a benefit comedy show to help further with medical expenses for the Elrod’s
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Friends described Justin Elrod as a hard worker who survived his military service only to be killed in the alleged burglary. (Lena Elrod/Facebook)
Birmingham also referenced the Elrod family in a June 2018 post, writing “Some of my favorite ladies,” alongside a photo that included one of the Elrods daughters.
According to WBRC, a motive hasn’t been established, but authorities said Birmingham was an “acquaintance” of the Elrods.
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Justin and Lena Elrod take a selfie in front of a “With Love From Memphis” mural during a trip to Tennessee. (Lena Elrod/Facebook)
Court records indicate Birmingham was accused of killing Lena Elrod with an electric saw and stabbed or struck Justin Elrod in the head with a metallic object.
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Aliceville Mayor Terrence Windham described Justin Elrod as a hard worker who was humble.
Justin Elrod, a military veteran, and his wife, Lena, were found dead at their Reform, Alabama, home Sunday. (Lena Elrod/Facebook)
“He was a very humble guy, and he was the last person that I would think that something like this would happen to,” Windham said. “He survived the military, survived working in the prison, and now, this situation, it just makes it even worse.”
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Birmingham is also the suspect in a separate burglary that happened before he allegedly killed the Elrods’, authorities said.
Birmingham was arrested on charges of one count of capital murder, two counts of murder, one count of burglary and additional drug-related charges, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 20.
