A small Mississippi church community is reeling after a beloved longtime pianist and her husband were found shot to death inside their home — and the teenage boy they reportedly hired to help around their farm is now accused of killing them.
Bill Blair, 74, and Carol Blair, 71, were discovered dead last Wednesday inside their home on W.L. Blair Road near Mendenhall, Mississippi, according to local reports.
Authorities say 17-year-old Cordarius Hobbs has been charged with two counts of murder, along with armed robbery, burglary and home invasion.
The horrifying case has rocked New Hebron Baptist Church, where Carol played piano for more than 30 years. Her husband, Bill, had also served on the church’s security team for decades.
Glenda Westmoreland, who has worked as the church secretary for more than 36 years, said members were stunned when they heard the news.
“It was mostly praying the whole time we had heard that this was going on,” Westmoreland told The Christian Post.
Deputies were called to the couple’s home shortly before 12:30 p.m. on June 3 after relatives said they could not reach them. When officers arrived, Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins said the front door was open.
Then, according to authorities, Hobbs allegedly opened fire from inside the home.
One Simpson County deputy was shot and injured. He has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.
What followed was a tense six-hour standoff between the teen and law enforcement.
Authorities eventually fired tear gas into the home, forcing Hobbs to run outside. But officials said he kept firing at officers.
A Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper returned fire, striking the teen. Hobbs suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was treated at a local hospital before being taken to jail.
The tragedy has left the church heartbroken.
On Sunday, New Hebron Baptist Church honored Bill and Carol with floral tributes, remembering the couple for their decades of service and faithfulness.
Westmoreland said the couple had the kind of hearts that made them want to help others.
She said Hobbs was known in the community and had reportedly ridden the school bus with other neighborhood children. She also claimed he had been arrested before but was released.
“Every time he got arrested, he ended up getting let go,” Westmoreland said.
According to Westmoreland, Bill had usually handled work around his farm himself. But after dealing with health issues, he hired Hobbs to help out.
“They just thought that they would help him out,” she said.
She also said Bill had been trying to sell some land, a tractor and other items before the killings.
“I think the kid realized he had sold some stuff and maybe would have a lot of money,” Westmoreland said. “I don’t know if that’s what he had in mind or what.”
Hobbs appeared in court on June 5 and was denied bond.
Despite the horror of the killings, Westmoreland said she still hopes the teen finds salvation. But she also made it clear she does not want him released.
“First of all, I’d love to see him get saved,” she said. “But I would like to see him not let go. I’m scared that if they were just to let him go, this would probably happen again.”
The case remains under investigation.
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