Matthew Bernard Wiki: Facts About the Suspect in Blake Bivens’ Wife, Emily Bivens’ Murder

Matthew Bernard is the suspect in a triple-homicide in Virginia who was caught after a bizarre manhunt on August 27. While authorities initially didn’t disclose the identities of the victims, the Tampa Bay Rays released a statement appearing to confirm that top pitching prospect Blake Bivens’ wife, child, and mother-in-law had been killed, allegedly by Bernard. And the suspected killer has a connection to the victims. Our Matthew Bernard wiki details the events that took place in Keeling, Virginia.

Matthew Bernard Is Blake Bivens’ Brother-In-Law

Matthew Thomas Bernard was born on August 21, 2000 and is a resident of Danville, Virginia. He’s the younger of two children born to Joan and Nelson Bernard.

Matthew’s sister, Emily Bernard Bivens, who was 24 at the time of her death, was married to minor league baseball pitcher Blake Bivens. Emily and Blake were high school sweethearts when they attended George Washington High School in Danville.

They married on January 9, 2016 and welcomed their first child together, a son named Cullen, in June 2018. Emily worked as a photographer based in Virginia and Florida, where Blake was playing baseball.

Matthew had graduated from Dan River High School in 2019 and was attending classes at Danville Community College.

Matthew Bernard Allegedly Killed His Sister and Mother

The local community of Keeling in rural Pittsylvania County was shocked when news of a triple-homicide broke. Authorities responded to a 911 call about someone getting shot around 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and found three people dead at a local home.

One of the deceased, a woman, was found dead in the driveway. Another woman and child were found dead inside the house. Officials also said that the family dog had been shot and killed.

The suspect, identified as Matthew Bernard, was still at large and armed with a rifle. Authorities put the immediate area on lockdown as a search warrant for first-degree murder was issued and a manhunt ensued.

Bernard was last seen fleeing to a wooded area in the proximity of the house before police arrived. The cops searched for him there and a chase followed.

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Local media crews present at the scene captured images of Bernard running away from cops, stark naked and frantic. At one point, he attacked a church groundskeeper before the authorities subdued him with mace and a stun gun.

After Bernard was arrested, the lockdown was eased. The authorities didn’t reveal the identities of the deceased but said that Bernard was related to the victims.

Shortly after, the Tampa Bay Rays confirmed that their star pitching prospect, Blake Bivens, had suffered a “terrible family tragedy.” Bernard had allegedly killed Emily and Cullen, along with his mother, Joan.

Their father, Nelson, was reportedly inside the house at the time of the murders. But he had been unharmed.

Bernard Was Taken to a Hospital

The motive behind the murders has not yet been disclosed and details are being withheld while a medical examiner conducts an autopsy on the three victims. Bernard was wanted for first-degree murder, but his official charges have not yet been listed.

At the moment, Bernard is in custody but not booked into prison. His uncle, Bryant Bernard, told the local media that while he was being taken away in a police vehicle, Matthew injured himself.

He reportedly banged his head repeatedly against the window of a police cruiser and “cracked” his head open. His injury required medical attention, so he was taken to a hospital, where he is currently.

While at the hospital, Matthew remains under a strict psychiatric watch. His uncle Bryant said that last week, Matthew told his mother he had been suffering from “bad dreams.”

There are no updates on Blake Bivens or Nelson Bernard during this tragedy. A GoFundMe page in Emily’s name has been set up by well-wishers.

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