A 54-year-old man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of capital murder in connection with the deaths of an Alabama mother, her pregnant teenage daughter, and her 12-year-old son, all of whom were found bound with zip ties in their home.
Arrest and Charges
William Graham Oliver was taken into custody on Tuesday, more than a week after the bodies of 46-year-old Lisa Fields, 17-year-old Keziah Luker, and 12-year-old Thomas Cordelle Jr. were discovered on April 20 in Wilmer, Alabama. Luker was eight months pregnant at the time of her death. An 18-month-old child who was also in the home was unharmed.
Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch stated that the victims were each found in different rooms with their hands bound behind their backs using zip ties. Fields had been stabbed and her throat cut, Luker was shot, and Thomas’s throat was cut, nearly decapitating him.
Investigation Details
Investigators believe Oliver was searching for something at the home around 7:30 p.m. the night before the bodies were found. Burch indicated they know what Oliver was seeking and his motive but have not disclosed those details. He described the timeline as “very, very tight” and said there is “very solid circumstantial evidence.”
Oliver, who lived several miles from the victims, knew the family. Burch said, “At this point we believe he’s solely responsible for the murders.”
Discovery and Arrest
The bodies were discovered after Luker’s boyfriend, who was at work, noticed unusual activity on her phone via the Life360 app around 2:30 a.m. He contacted a relative, who went to the home and found the horrific scene.
A search warrant was executed at Oliver’s home in Wilmer, about 11 miles from the crime scene. He was arrested during a traffic stop near his home as SWAT officers searched his residence for evidence.
Despite a criminal history dating back to 1990, including a 2020 theft charge, Oliver had no prior violent offenses. Burch commented, “Unless you live with someone a long time, you never know what they’re capable of.”
Family and Community Response
Family members expressed shock and grief. Katherine Ayer, Fields’ sister, told AL.com, “I can’t imagine who would want to hurt my sister. It takes a very, very sick individual to look two children in the face and take their lives.” She described Fields as kind and devoted, Luker as “a good little mama,” and Thomas as energetic and sweet.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses. Prosecutors have filed eight capital murder charges related to the killings, including one count of capital murder of two or more persons, four counts of capital murder during a burglary, two counts of capital murder of a child younger than 14, and one count of capital murder in the presence of a child.
Burch remarked, “Anytime there are children involved, it makes it a little tougher, especially an unborn child. But he will face justice, and ultimately the ultimate justice on Judgment Day.”
