In the early hours of a Saturday morning in Louisville, Kentucky, a tragic event unfolded that would claim the lives of three individuals, including a man from New Albany, Indiana. On February 13, 2016, 36-year-old Douglas E. Weber was found deceased inside a residence in the Hazelwood neighborhood. His life, along with two others, was cut short by an act of violence that left a community in shock and mourning.
The scene of the crime was a home located in the 4200 block of Wheeler Avenue
in South Louisville. It was here that police discovered the bodies of Weber, Elizabeth Draper, age 43, and William Neal, age 35. The coroner later confirmed that all three victims had succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. While Draper and Neal resided at the Wheeler Avenue home, Weber was a visitor from across the river in New Albany. Those who knew him described him as a laid-back individual who would do anything for you.
In the days following the grim discovery, the Louisville Metro Police Department worked diligently to piece together the events that led to the triple homicide. Their investigation quickly led them to a suspect, 26-year-old George Slaughter. Slaughter was apprehended at an apartment on Mildenhall Way and taken into custody without incident. He was subsequently charged with three counts of murder and tampering with physical evidence. Authorities alleged that Slaughter removed the weapon from the scene, and it was not immediately recovered.
During his court appearance, George Slaughter pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him, which also included possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. A public defender was appointed to represent him, and his bond was set at $1 million in cash. The motive for the shooting was not immediately disclosed by investigators, though it was revealed that Slaughter was an acquaintance of at least one of the victims, William Neal, who considered him a friend. This connection only added to the profound sense of loss and disbelief felt by the families of the victims.
