Florida family murdered with a HAMMER in 'ritualistic Wiccan killing' in Pensacola

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A Florida family was brutally killed Tuesday at their home in Pensacola and discovered by authorities on Friday
Mother Voncile Smith, 77, and her sons John William Smith, 49, and Richard Thomas Smith, 47, were killed with a hammer
Richard was also shot in the head and all three had their throats slit in what police believe was a ritualistic killing
Police also believe witchcraft was involved and that these murders were committed to coincide with the Blue Moon on Friday
A person of interest has been questioned but no arrests have been made so far

Published: 22:58 EST, 4 August 2015 | Updated: 13:36 EST, 5 August 2015

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A Florida family were brutally murdered last week in what police are calling a 'ritualistic Wiccan killing' possibly tied to last week's Blue Moon.

The three victims - mother Voncile Smith, 77; and her sons John William Smith, 49, and Richard Thomas Smith, 47 - were found dead in their Pensacola home on Friday after being killed on Tuesday.

Authorities also say they believe the killings were meant to coincide with the appearance of a second full moon in the same calendar month, despite the fact that the lunar event occurred on Friday and the three were murdered Tuesday evening.

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Tragedy: A Florida family was brutally killed Tuesday at their home in Pensacola, Florida (above) and discovered by authorities on Friday

Odd: Police believe witchcraft was involved and that these murders were committed to coincide with the Blue Moon on Friday (File photo of Friday's Blue Moon pictured above)

Police: Witchcraft involved in killing of Florida family

'Wiccan' refers to elements of a modern pagan, witchcraft-based religion known as 'Wicca' that was first introduced in England during the first half of the 20th century.

Those who practice Wicca perform rituals involving witchcraft and magic, often during full moon or new moon.

The Pensacola News Journal reports that Escambia County Sheriff's Office sheriff David Morgan said all three died of blunt force trauma after being hit with a claw hammer and that all three had their throats slit.

Richard Smith, who worked for Homeland Security, was also shot in the ear as he came into the house, NBC News reported.

Sheriff's office spokeswoman Sena Madison added in an interview with CNN that there are 'some indications in the investigation that witchcraft may have been involved'.

The family was reportedly extremely reclusive, to the point where their own neighbors said they never spoke to or saw the three.

They were discovered on Friday during a welfare check after Richard's supervisor called the sheriff's office asking to visit their house.

'The elements of the case are odd at best,' said Morgan.

Richard Smith was employed by the Department of Homeland Security and worked at Naval Air Station Pensacola, but officials with the Naval Criminal Investigative Services 'have determined there are no issues involving... national security elements,' Morgan said.

Awful: Escambia County Sheriff's Office sheriff David Morgan (above) said all three died of blunt force trauma after being hit with a claw hammer and that all three had their throats slit

Morgan also said that they had spoken with a person of interest - a white male who was known to 'practice witchcraft' - though it is not known what came of that or if an arrest was made.

Morgan noted that there were no signs of forced entry at the home.

As for why they are considering this a ritualistic killing, Morgan said: 'The injuries to the victims, the positions of the bodies and also the person of interest right now is also a practitioner [of witchcraft].'

Ken Lester, a neighbor of the family, told WECT: 'It’s frightening to think about. Especially when you have small children.

'To find out that it was this weird, satanic cult, witchcraft whatever, is just really unsettling.'