After nearly two decades of uncertainty, the remains of a young girl and her mother were found in West Virginia following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have killed them. Larry Webb confessed to the fatal shootings of Natasha “Alex” Carter and her mother, Susan Carter, nearly 24 years ago. Webb admitted to shooting Susan after an argument over missing money, and then felt he had to kill Alex to avoid detection. He buried their bodies in a shallow grave on his property, which were discovered after his confession.
Alex’s father, Rick Lafferty, expressed a mix of sadness and relief upon finally being able to bring his daughter home after so many years. The case had gone cold multiple times, but the family never gave up hope of finding closure. Webb had been a suspect from the beginning of the investigation and was indicted for first-degree murder in Alex’s death in 2023. However, the court proceedings were delayed due to his deteriorating health, making it difficult to move through the legal process.
Investigators were able to speak with Webb at his nursing home facility ahead of a court date and he confessed to the killings, providing details about the motive and burial location. Authorities began excavation efforts to locate the bodies based on Webb’s information, but his deteriorating health made the process challenging. Webb was transferred from the hospice unit at Mount Olive Correctional Complex to a hospital, where he passed away shortly after. The bodies of Susan and Alex Carter were found hours later.
The investigation into the killings is ongoing and the remains have been sent to the coroner’s office for further examination. The prosecuting attorney for Raleigh County described the confession as “detailed, undeniable, unconflicted,” aligning with the evidence collected by authorities throughout the years. Lafferty offered advice to others in his situation, urging them to never give up hope of finding their missing loved ones. The discovery of Susan and Alex Carter’s remains brings a sense of closure to their family after years of uncertainty and waiting.
