Hilma Barnett, an 86-year-old woman from Marshall, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on December 15, 2012. She was killed by her son-in-law, James Lagrua, who also murdered her daughter, Stephanie Lagrua. The incident occurred at the family home in Madison County, where Hilma's grandchildren were hiding in the basement at the time.
James Lagrua, aged 61 at the time, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder and cruelty to animals.
He was accused of shooting Hilma and Stephanie multiple times with a pistol and a handgun. During the trial, it was revealed that Lagrua believed his wife and mother-in-law were possessed by demons and that he was compelled to save them from these supposed demonic forces. This tragic event was described as a result of Lagrua's psychotic episode, exacerbated by his increasing alcohol addiction and deteriorating mental health.
In April 2017, James Lagrua pleaded guilty to two second-degree murder charges in a plea deal that spared him from a possible death sentence. He received two consecutive sentences, each running a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 25 years, effectively ensuring he would spend the rest of his life in custody. The plea deal was reached after testimonies from family members and medical professionals about the impact of the shootings and Lagrua's mental state at the time.
The case was closed with the plea deal, bringing some measure of justice for the victims' families, although the emotional and psychological scars remain. The community and law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution were commended for their efforts in bringing Lagrua to justice.
