iStock/Thinkstock(JACKSON, Miss.) — A man has been arrested in connection with the killing of two nuns in Mississippi this week, the state’s Department of Public Safety announced late Friday.
“Rodney Earl Sanders, 46, of 210 Aponaug Road, Kosciusko has been charged with two counts of capital murder in connection with the killing of two nuns in Durant earlier this week. After an exhaustive interview Friday evening, MBI agents were able to develop enough information to charge Sanders,” read a statement.
Sister Margaret Held and Sister Paula Merril, originally from Wisconsin and Massachusetts, were found stabbed to death at home Thursday.
Friends of the pair said the two women served the poor and the community for more than 30 years and both were nurse practitioners.
MBI Director Lt. Colonel Jimmy Jordan said the suspect was a person of interest early in the investigation. He is being held i n an undisclosed detention center awaiting his initial court appearance.
Police in Jackson originally suspected a robbery took place. The Catholic Diocese said the home was broken into, and the nuns’ missing car was found a mile away, according to police.
A wake will be held for the nuns at St. Thomas Church in Lexington on Sunday, with a memorial mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle in Jackson on Monday.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.