After a three-day investigation, State Fire Marshal's Office spokeswoman Katelyn Abernathy said Jon and Marion Setzer's son-in law Richard Parker was arrested Thursday, charged with first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon, the Associated Press reported.
Authorities said Parker will be charged with two counts of felony first-degree murder and two counts of felony premeditated murder in connection with the mail-bomb, which Parker personally placed in the Setzer's mailbox, that killed Jon immediately and his wife a couple days later, according to the AP.
After the bomb exploded at the Setzer's home on Monday, Parker was seen keeping vigil with loved ones at the hospital where Marion was being treated and later died, USA Today reported. Investigators announced Thursday Parker's bond was set at $1 million.
Abernathy said no more information on Parker's motive could be released, but added that the bomb was not delivered by a private or federal postal service, CNN reported.
Parker has previously served the probation for his arson conviction in 1993 in Giles County, according to records, the AP reported.
Parker declined to comment on the Setzer's death by phone a day before he was arrested, according to the AP. His house was just behind the Setzers' in a semi-rural area of Lebanon, about 40 minutes east of Nashville.
"It's something we would have never deemed possible," said Kevin Ulmet, pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene in Nashville. Parker, his wife Laura and their four children attended Ulmet's church, USA Today reported.
After hearing about the bomb, Ulmet went to the hospital to comfort the family and said he saw Parker there a lot, according to USA Today.
"I'm deeply troubled to whatever led to this act," Ulmet told USA Today. "The family is deeply hurting, and we all are. I pray for Richard's soul. This family has strong Christian faith. That was the heritage of the Setzers."
