WAKULLA COUNTY, FL (WTXL) — UPDATE (8/14/26):
The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office announced the man wanted in connection with the killing of two people in Wakulla is back on U.S. soil.
According to the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office, Joseph Ronnie Raker has been transferred to the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office in Texas while he awaits extradition back to Florida.
Raker was wanted on two counts of homicide in the deaths of Rebecca Lynn Thomas and John William Luper III.
UPDATE (8/13/2026):
Joseph Ronnie Raker, the man suspected of killing two people in Wakulla County, is now in custody.
Sheriff Jared Miller said this concludes an intensive manhunt involving local, state, federal, and international law enforcement authorities.
During a news conference with the media Thursday evening, the sheriff announced the capture of Raker.
“Raker, who was wanted on two counts of homicide, was located in Mexico, south of Brownsville, Texas,” said Sheriff Miller.
This comes after a manhunt that lasted over a week.
According to Sheriff Miller, he was taken into custody through the coordinated efforts of the U.S. Marshals and the Mexican authorities.
Raker’s arrest is a major step, but this investigation is not over. Detectives say they’re continuing to gather evidence and identify everyone who may have participated in what call “monstrous crimes” or assisted those responsible.
Right now they are still getting information from federal authorities, so there are many questions left unanswered.
Captain Brett Surace, with the sheriff’s office said: “The idea is we are going to get full reports and information back from the marshal service and the Mexican authorities, letting us know exactly, like you asked, who was with him at the time, what other resources did he have? What other ways, or who was he communicating with?”
However, the sheriff did address the community’s response to how the office handled this investigation.
“We did a very good job,” said Surace. “We could have done things better, but we did a good job, and we didn't drop the ball.”
The sheriff’s office says this is still an active investigation and more arrests are expected.
It’s unclear when Raker will be back to Wakulla.
Original:
The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office released a 17-minute video Friday afternoon addressing its double homicide investigation and responding to public criticism over how the case has been handled. The family of one of the victim's later criticized the video and the office's handling of the case.
WATCH THE FULL REPORT BELOW:
Sheriff Jared Miller opened the video by acknowledging the victims at the center of the case.
"I want to begin by recognizing why we are here. Two people, Rebecca Lynn Thomas, 58, and John William Luper III, 49, lost their lives after the result of a horrific and senseless act of violence," Miller said.
The video addressed the ongoing search for suspect Joseph Ronnie Raker, who remains at large. Officials also responded to community frustration over the pace and transparency of the investigation.
"I also understand the concern and frustrations throughout our community when a crime of this magnitude occurs. People want answers. They want to know what happened, who is responsible, and what we are doing to bring those responsible to justice," Miller said.
On Saturday, John Luper's family responded to the sheriff's office video. Their statement, sent to WTXL, reads in full:
Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of our loved one, John Luper, affectionately known as Little John, who was taken from us as a result of a homicide, which we believe may have been preventable.
Our hearts are filled with profound grief as we come to terms with a loss that no family should ever have to endure. Little John was deeply loved, and his death has left a son without a father, a mother without a son, and a sister without a brother.
As we grieve, we are compelled to speak about the way our family has been treated during this difficult process. The immediate family has been mislead and not kept adequately informed by WCSO regarding the investigation and important developments surrounding Little John’s death. We understand that there are circumstances in which investigators cannot disclose certain information, while an active homicide investigation is underway. However, when the immediate family learn things secondary, through social media, after they have requested the information, it appears the WCSO finds social media visibility more important than empathy and helping to soothe the family’s desperate efforts to understand what happened.
Moreover, when family members provide critical and factual information, and ask questions to the lead detective, ignoring or disregarding that information or misleading the family with lies does not bestow great confidence in the investigative effort. Our family deserves and expects to be treated with compassion, dignity and respect, and we deserve honest, clear and timely communication about matters that can appropriately be shared with us.
If the circumstances of Little John’s demise are not thoroughly investigated, if information and evidence provided to the Sheriff’s detective are not acted upon in a timely manner, we want those responsible to be held accountable and expect WCSO leadership to respond appropriately and investigate such failures.
A 14 minute summary video is nice but is just a tacky attempt to chill the family uproar and public thirst for information. Social media is a lazy means by which the WCSO tries to cover its failure to inform the family and by trying to take the focus off its own investigation shortcomings.
We also ask the public and the media to respect our family’s privacy as we grieve. We appreciate the support, prayers and kindness that have been extended to us during this incredibly painful time.
We will continue to honor John Luper’s memory and to seek justice on his behalf.
WTXL also spoke with Luper's family on Monday.
Investigators acknowledged they have been limited in what they can share publicly, saying the decision to withhold certain details is intended to protect the integrity of the case.
"There will be information we cannot discuss while this investigation remains active. However, where we can provide answers without compromising the integrity of this case, we will," Miller said.
One of the most prominent criticisms from the public and the victims' family has been why Raker was released following initial questioning. Major Eddie Wester explained that at the time, Raker was treated as a cooperative witness.
"He arrived back on the scene. He offered to show us evidence. He was unable to point out any evidence. At the time, we still did not know where John and Rebecca were at, Raker was allowed to leave the scene. We had no probable cause to detain him. We had no suspicion. He maintained he was a witness and that he was implicating this other guy, who was also unaccounted for," Wester said.
Officials described the investigation as fast-moving with many developments occurring in a short period of time.
"This has been a very fluid and fast-moving investigation. There's a lot of moving parts that happened in a short amount of time," an official said.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office.
According to an online obituary, Luper's family will hold a memorial service on Monday, August 10, 2026, at Family Funeral Home in the Harvey Young Chapel. It will begin at 6:00 p.m.
UPDATE (8/7/2026):
The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office is providing additional details on the double homicide investigation from earlier this week. They say there's now a $10,000 reward being offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect, Joseph Ronnie Raker.
If you know where Raker is, you're urged to call 911 immediately or contact the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office at (850) 745-7100. The sheriff's office says do not attempt to approach him.
WATCH WCSO FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
Original:
The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office has obtained active arrest warrants for a 46-year-old man in connection with a double homicide investigation.
Joseph Ronnie Raker is wanted on two counts of homicide in connection with the investigation at 740 Otter Creek Road. Nationwide extradition has been authorized.
Based on investigative developments, Raker should be considered dangerous, according to the sheriff's office.
Anyone who knowingly harbors, conceals, transports, or otherwise assists Raker in avoiding arrest will be investigated and prosecuted under applicable law.
A reward is available for information leading to Raker's arrest.
Anyone who sees Raker or has information about his location should immediately call 911 or contact the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office at (850) 745-7100.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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