Matthew Ryan "Bubba" Caffey, a 13-year-old white male, was brutally murdered on March 1, 2008, in Alba, Texas. Matthew was a student at Rains Middle School and a member of the Miracle Faith Baptist Church in Emory, Texas. He was killed along with his mother, Penny Caffey, and his younger brother, Tyler Caffey, in their home. The only survivor of the attack was Matthew's father, Terry Caffey, who managed to escape despite being shot multiple times.
The murders were orchestrated by
Matthew's 16-year-old sister, Erin Caffey, who was upset with her parents' disapproval of her relationship with her boyfriend, Charlie Wilkinson. Erin, along with Wilkinson, Charles Waid, and Bobbi Johnson, planned and executed the attack. Wilkinson and Waid entered the Caffey home in the early hours of the morning, while Erin and Johnson waited outside in a car. The attackers shot Terry and Penny Caffey, and then proceeded to kill Matthew and Tyler. The house was then set on fire in an attempt to cover up the crime.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Erin Caffey, Charlie Wilkinson, Charles Waid, and Bobbi Johnson. All four were charged with capital murder. Erin Caffey was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole, while Wilkinson and Waid received life sentences without the possibility of parole. Johnson was sentenced to 40 years in prison for her role as the getaway driver.
The case gained significant media attention due to the shocking nature of the crime and the involvement of a family member in the murders. The Caffey family was known for their strong Christian faith and active involvement in their church community, which made the crime even more incomprehensible to those who knew them. The tragic events left a lasting impact on the small town of Alba and the surrounding community.
