Larry Webb, a suspect in the disappearance of Susan Carter and her 10-year-old daughter Natasha “Alex” Carter in 2000, confessed to killing them 24 years ago on his deathbed, which led to the recovery of their remains in his West Virginia backyard. Rick Lafferty, Alex Carter’s father, expressed mixed emotions, saying it was a “sad day but also a happy day” because he could finally bring his daughter home after the case had gone cold multiple times. Webb’s home had been searched 18 months prior, revealing a bullet covered in Alex Carter’s blood, leading to a grand jury indictment in October 2023. Webb confessed to the killings to investigators, explaining how he buried the bodies in his backyard.
Webb’s confession detailed how he shot Susan Carter after an argument about finances and believed he had to kill Alex Carter to avoid detection in her mother’s death. After committing the crimes, Webb dug a shallow grave in his backyard and buried the bodies together. Once Webb’s health issues caused delays in court proceedings, investigators went to the Hilltop Nursing Home Center where he was residing to obtain his confession. Webb’s detailed account of the murders aligned with evidence collected in the case, leading to the recovery of the bodies with the help of a landscaper in the neighborhood.
Authorities had obtained a search warrant for Webb’s home in Beckley, West Virginia, which Susan and Alex Carter were living in when they disappeared. The bullet found in a bedroom known to be occupied by the 10-year-old went to an FBI lab for DNA testing, confirming it was covered in Alex Carter’s blood. Webb’s confession to shooting Susan Carter over missing money and subsequently killing Alex Carter out of fear of detection was a key factor in solving the case. Based on Webb’s detailed accounts, investigators were able to locate the bodies buried in his backyard with a high degree of certainty.
Webb’s confession came as he was on his deathbed and looking to seek redemption, leading to his transfer to Mount Olive Correctional Complex before being sent to Montgomery General Hospital and pronounced dead just hours before Susan and Alex Carter’s remains were uncovered. Rick Lafferty, Alex Carter’s father, expressed his gratitude for finally being able to bring his daughter home after years of searching and uncertainty. Webb’s detailed confession provided closure for the family and allowed authorities to locate and recover the remains of Susan and Alex Carter, bringing an end to a 24-year mystery surrounding their disappearance.
Overall, the confession of Larry Webb on his deathbed led to the recovery of the remains of Susan and Alex Carter, who had been missing for 24 years. Webb’s detailed account of the murders aligned with evidence collected in the case, providing closure for the family and allowing authorities to confirm with a high degree of certainty the identities of the bodies found in his backyard. Rick Lafferty expressed his mixed emotions at finally being able to bring his daughter home after years of hope and uncertainty, and thanked investigators for their efforts in solving the case. Larry Webb’s confession provided the missing pieces of the puzzle in the long-standing mystery of the disappearance of Susan and Alex Carter, bringing some semblance of closure to their loved ones.
