On the evening of August 2, 2026, the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office responded to a property on Otter Creek Road in Sopchoppy, Florida, where investigators found a double homicide. Victims were identified as 49-year-old John Luper III and his girlfriend, 58-year-old Rebecca Lynn Thomas; both had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. A separate fire had occurred at the residence, which authorities treated as distinct from the shootings.

Investigators say the victims’ bodies were moved after the killings and later concealed in separate locations. On August 3 their remains were located concealed in heavy brush and under debris in the St. Marks Refuge. A 46-year-old man, Joseph Ronnie Raker, was interviewed early in the inquiry and reportedly tried to implicate someone else; authorities did not initially detain him. After the bodies were found, warrants were issued charging Raker with two counts of homicide and law enforcement warned he should be considered dangerous.

A nationwide extradition was authorized and a reward of up to $10,000 was offered for information leading to his arrest. The family of John Luper III publicly expressed frustration with the case communication and handling. Did anyone in the Sopchoppy area see or hear anything on or around August 2 that could help investigators?