MOBILE, AL — A 54-year-old Alabama man was arrested Tuesday on eight counts of capital murder in the deaths of a mother, her pregnant teenage daughter, and 12-year-old son who were found bound with zip ties in their home.
William Graham Oliver faces charges in the April 20 killings of Lisa Gail Fields, 46, her daughter Keziah Arionna Luker, 17, and son Thomas Cordelle Jr., 12, at their residence in Wilmer. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said Oliver knew the family and lived just miles from their home. The charges include capital murder of two or more persons, capital murder during a burglary, and capital murder of a child under 14. Luker was eight months pregnant when she was killed, making her unborn child the fourth victim in what investigators are calling a quadruple homicide.
The investigation began around 2:30 a.m. on April 20 when a family member went to check on the victims after Luker’s boyfriend, who was working offshore, noticed unusual activity on their shared Life360 app. The boyfriend became concerned when he saw Luker was awake at such a late hour and feared something might be wrong with her pregnancy, according to Sheriff Burch. When the relative entered the home on Auble Moody Road, they discovered the bodies and immediately contacted authorities. Deputies determined the victims had been killed hours earlier, after Oliver was at the home around 7:30 p.m. the previous evening. “He was at the home, 7:30-ish Sunday night. Very, very tight timeline. Very solid circumstantial evidence at this point, and we feel confident that we have the right man,” Burch said during a Tuesday news conference.
All three victims were found in separate rooms of the house with their hands bound behind their backs using zip ties or flex cuffs, according to investigators. Fields had been stabbed and her throat was cut, while Luker was shot and her younger brother’s throat was slashed so severely that he was nearly decapitated, authorities said. Luker’s 18-month-old daughter was found unharmed inside the residence during the discovery. Evidence recovered from Oliver’s home, including a vehicle and items described as “supporting evidence,” helped tie him to the crime scene. Sheriff’s deputies and SWAT officers executed a search warrant at Oliver’s Wilmer residence, located about 11 miles from the crime scene, before arresting him during a traffic stop near his home. Investigators removed at least six bags of evidence from Oliver’s property during the search.
Oliver has a criminal history dating back to 1990, including a 2020 charge for first-degree theft of property, but Sheriff Burch emphasized this marks the first time he has faced violent charges. “Well, you know, unless you live with someone, a long time you never know what you’re capable of doing or what their motivations are,” Burch said. “And it is a shocking crime for anyone, especially if it’s someone you know.” Mark Coleman, who lives next door to Oliver, described him as a quiet, unassuming handyman and dedicated father of three young boys. “He spends a great deal of time with his kids, has three boys, and I’ve seen him and his wife get along well, and his mother lives with him as well,” Coleman told reporters. “Just a nice, unassuming guy.” The sheriff said investigators believe Oliver was searching for something inside the victims’ home but declined to reveal what he was seeking or discuss the motive.
The specific charges against Oliver include one count of capital murder of two or more persons, four counts of capital murder during a burglary, two counts of capital murder of a child younger than 14 years old, and one count of capital murder in the presence of a child. Prosecutors filed eight separate capital murder charges despite there being four victims because of the various circumstances and related alleged crimes connected to the killings. “At this point we believe he’s solely responsible for the murders,” Burch said, adding that investigators have identified a motive but are withholding details due to the pending case. Oliver was booked into the Mobile County Metro Jail on Tuesday. The district attorney’s office will present additional details, including the alleged motive, during court proceedings. Alabama’s capital murder statute allows for the death penalty in cases involving multiple victims or the murder of children under 14.
Family members and the community are struggling to comprehend the brutal violence that claimed the lives of their loved ones. Fields was described in her obituary as “an angel walking among us” and “the most giving, loving person who dedicated her life to her children.” Katherine Ayer, Fields’ sister, told local media she couldn’t imagine who would want to hurt her sister, calling it the work of “a very, very sick individual to look two children in the face and take their lives.” Luker was remembered as outgoing and spontaneous, someone who always had a word of love and wanted to become a nurse. She was excited to welcome her second baby girl, according to a close family friend. Thomas Cordelle was described as “a pure soul” who loved games, music and math, and was in fifth grade, eagerly anticipating getting out of elementary school. A GoFundMe campaign was created to help the family with funeral expenses for the three victims.
Sheriff Burch acknowledged the particularly difficult nature of the case involving children and an unborn child. “Anytime there are children involved, it makes it a little tougher, especially an unborn child,” he said. “But again, he will face justice, but he’ll ultimately face the ultimate justice on Judgment Day.” Investigators continue processing evidence as the case moves forward, with officials emphasizing that Oliver acted alone in the alleged quadruple murder. The only survivor was Luker’s toddler daughter, who was too young to provide any account of the crime. Oliver remains in custody as prosecutors prepare to present the case in court, where additional details about the motive and circumstances will be revealed.
