The man who was arrested this week and charged with killing Tampa Bay Rays prospect Blake Bivens’ wife, child and mother-in-law has been placed on suicide watch while in custody.
Matthew Bernard, 18, is charged with three counts of first degree murder after he allegedly shot and killed his mother-in-law, sister Emily Bivens, and Emily’s and Blake’s young son, Cullen. According to a report from WSET in Pennsylvania, Bernard’s initial court hearing on Thursday morning was canceled after he was taken to the hospital for an “undisclosed reason.” Sheriff Mike Taylor had previously said that Bernard is on suicide watch.
A criminal complaint that was filed by a neighbor of Bernard’s mother-in law, Joan, stated that Matthew went to her Pittsylvania County, Virginia, home on Tuesday morning and punched her in the arm before running away. She then heard multiple gunshots and went next door to find Joan Bernard lying in the driveway. Law enforcement officials later found Emily and Cullen inside the home.
Bernard was shown by local media outlets running around the town naked before police were able to apprehend him. A Facebook post from a family member this week stated that Matthew “wasn’t aware of what he done” and was battling mental illness.
Bivens and wife Emily were married in January 2016 and welcomed Cullen in June 2018.
Bivens, 24, was a fourth-round pick by the Rays in 2014 out of high school in Danville, Virginia. He is a pitcher for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits and has gone 4-0 with a 3.95 ERA this year.
