On a quiet morning in Colbert, Washington, the life of 52-year-old Caucasian female Lisa M. Canfield was tragically cut short on May 26, 2015. In an act of brutal violence, she, along with her husband, Terry Canfield, 59, and her son, John Robert Constable, 23, were found dead in their home from gunshot wounds. First responders were initially called to the residence for what was reported as an "illegal burn," only to discover the house engulfed in flames, a deliberate act to conceal the
gruesome crime within.
Lisa was remembered as a devoted Christian, a loving and protective mother, and a sweet and devoted wife. Having been raised in Seattle, she moved to the Spokane area to raise her family. As her children grew, she found her calling as a massage therapist. She had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and cherished spending time with her family, friends, and animals, whether it was riding horses, fishing, or sharing laughter around a campfire. Those who knew her described her as selfless and caring, a friendship with her considered a true blessing.
The investigation into the triple homicide quickly focused on one individual: Roy H. Murry, the estranged husband of Lisa's daughter, Amanda. Tensions had been escalating between Murry and the family, with court documents revealing that he blamed them for the separation from his wife. Amanda had been living with her mother and stepfather, and she and Murry were in the process of getting a divorce. On the night of the murders, Amanda, a nurse, was working a late shift, a circumstance that authorities believe spared her from becoming a fourth victim.
Roy H. Murry was arrested on May 30, 2015, and subsequently charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of arson. During questioning, Murry made bizarre claims, suggesting the involvement of the Russian Secret Police. However, evidence gathered by investigators pointed squarely at him, including his apparent sunburned or flash-burned face and abrasions on his hands and arms when interviewed. In December 2016, a jury found Roy Murry guilty on all counts. He was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, bringing a legal conclusion to a case that left a family shattered and a community in shock.
