(Stillwater) – Court documents filed by the OSBI in connection with the investigation into a triple murder in Cushing on Tuesday say that the suspect in the case confessed to the killings during interviews at the Stillwater Police Department. Robert Chad Lansford-Barela, was taken into custody yesterday morning by OSU police in Stillwater near Sixth and Western. Barela was taken to the Stillwater Police Department and interviewed by agents from the OSBI and Cushing Police.
According to the Affidavit filed by OSBI agent Kevin Garrett, Barela was advised of his rights and agreed to be interviewed. The affidavit says that during the interview, Barela confessed to shooting the victims.
The affidavit is also the first official identification of the victims. They are identified as Douglas Mason Peck, 27, Albert Cernas, 21, and Elizabeth Hueser, 19. All were Cushing Residents. The court documents say that the house where the killings occurred was Peck’s residence.
The documents do not identify the type of weapon used in the shootings.
OSBI agents are reportedly looking for evidence in a pond north of Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater.
Cushing Police responded to the residence at 814 East Moses at about 5:21 after a report from a caller that “deceased persons” were inside the residence. Sgt. Mark Jobe and Officer Randy Evans found the three victims in the residence and contacted Police Chief Terry Brannon, and the OSBI and State Medical Examiners office.
Later in the morning, Brannon identified Barela as “a person of significant interest” in the case.
Barela was apprehended about two hours later in Stillwater. He is expected to make an initial court appearance this afternoon in Payne County District Court.
