A deathbed confession has brought closure to a haunting 24-year-old cold case involving the tragic deaths of a 10-year-old girl and her mother.
The remains believed to be those of Susan and Natasha “Alex” Carter were discovered on Monday, April 22, 2024, in the 100 block of Kyle Lane in Beckley, West Virginia. The Carters were last seen around August 8, 2000, in Beckley, sparking a decades-long mystery surrounding their disappearance.
During a press conference on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, West Virginia State Police revealed that the primary suspect in the case, Larry Webb, had confessed to murdering the mother and daughter and burying their bodies in his backyard.
Nearly 18 months ago, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Larry Webb’s residence. During the search, a bullet was found embedded in the wall of Alex Carter’s bedroom. DNA analysis confirmed that the blood on the bullet belonged to 10-year-old Alex Carter.
In October of 2023, Webb was indicted for Alex’s murder but was not apprehended until early April 2024. Armed with compelling evidence, investigators were able to extract a confession from Webb during the first week of April 2024.
Webb admitted to shooting Susan Carter during an argument over money, which he believed she had spent. Following Susan’s murder, he confessed to shooting 10-year-old Alex in a misguided attempt to avoid detection. He then disclosed how he concealed their bodies in the basement of his home before burying them in his backyard.
Assisted by a local landscaper, authorities conducted a three-day excavation that ultimately led to the recovery of Susan and Alex’s remains. The condition in which the bodies were found aligned with Webb’s confession, providing conclusive evidence to investigators.
Tragically, Larry Webb passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024, shortly before the discovery of the bodies. The resolution of this long-standing case serves as a poignant conclusion to a heartbreaking saga that has haunted the community for over two decades.