Erin Caffey and her family were deeply religious, but a terrible event turned their lives upside down. This article will detail the tragedy that occurred within the Caffey family.
On a horrifying night, three individuals were killed, and five others were irreversibly affected. It’s astonishing that the perpetrator of this chaos was a member of their own family, isn’t it?
Let’s delve into the details.
The Caffey Family’s Background
The Caffey family was conservative and closely held their religious convictions and principles. Terry Caffey and Penny Caffey were married. They had 3 children, Erin Caffey, aged 16, Matthew Caffey, who was 13, and Tyler Caffey, who was 8.
The Caseys were ministers at a conservative Baptist Church in Celeste, Texas. They were also deeply devoted to their local church, which was intertwined with their passion for music.
The eldest daughter, Erin Caffey, was the vocalist, and her two younger brothers played the guitar and harmonica at the church while their mother, Penny, played the piano.
The family resided in Alba, Texas, and later relocated to Celeste, Texas, to be closer to their church.
Erin Caffey was homeschooled throughout her childhood and later attended public school starting from eighth grade.
Coming from a conservative and religious background, Erin’s parents were alarmed when a girl at school attempted to kiss her.
Following this incident, they promptly withdrew their children from school, and Penny decided to homeschool them using a Bible-based curriculum.
The Love Story of Erin Caffey
Erin seemed to have endured significant hardship as a result of these practices and the resulting seclusion. She lacked friends and yearned to experience the world.
After some time, at the age of 16 in July 2007, she was allowed to work at the local Sonic, where she met her soon-to-be partner Charlie, marking the beginning of a significant turning point in her life.
Charlie Wilkinson, a high school student known for his temper, entered the picture. However, Erin’s parents were not comfortable with Charlie after investigating him online, as the findings were unsatisfactory.
Wilkinson’s Myspace profile was filled with explicit content related to alcohol and sexuality. Understandably, Erin and Charlie were aware of public perception regarding their relationship.
After only a few months of dating, Charlie proposed to her with his grandmother’s engagement ring; news that greatly incensed Terry and Penny. The Caffeys then decided to restrict Erin’s time with Charlie.
This restriction led Erin to attempt escaping, infuriated by being allowed to meet with Charlie only once a week under supervision. In February 2008, after violating her “phone curfew,” she was grounded.
Subsequently, the Caffeys forced her to end the relationship. It was at this point that Erin Caffey loosely discussed with friends the idea of killing her parents as she believed it was the only way to be with Charlie.
The Plan of Action
In the midnight of March 1, 2008, two days after Erin was grounded, Charlie drove to Erin’s home. He was accompanied by two friends: Charles Allen Waid and Waid’s girlfriend, Bobbi Gale Johnson.
Prior to entering the premises, Wilkinson informed Erin that he needed to eliminate her younger brothers to ensure there were no witnesses. She allegedly replied, “I don’t care, just do what you need to do.”
However, Erin left the house and sat in the car with Bobbi as Charlie and Waid broke in.
Wilkinson first stormed Terry and Penny’s room and shot them with a.22 revolver as they slept. Terry Caffey, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, witnessed his wife’s death beside him.
Though barely conscious, Terry, recalling his children sleeping upstairs, was unable to speak or move. When Wilkinson’s gun jammed after numerous shots, Waid used a samurai-style sword to effectively decapitate Penny.
Wilkinson and Waid then proceeded upstairs to find Tyler and Matthew. Terry heard his son Matthew cry out, “No, Charlie. No. Why are you doing this?”
While Terry lay terrified and helpless, Tyler was shot multiple times in the face, and Matthew was mercilessly killed with the samurai sword.
Subsequently, Wilkinson and Waid ransacked the property for valuables after Wilkinson had promised Waid $2,000 for his cooperation, then set fire to the furniture.
Terry, unconscious for an unknown period, awoke to find the house ablaze. He managed to crawl out through a bathroom window and away from the scene, covering nearly 300 yards through the woods to a neighbor, Tommy Gaston’s, house. When Gaston called 911, the operator inquired about Terry’s cuts and bruises.
Terry, drenched in blood, miraculously survived and was rushed to the emergency room.
Aftermath
Upon being informed of Charlie Wilkinson’s name, authorities swiftly located him, and Erin Caffey, appearing distressed, was discovered in a residence where Waid’s older brother was staying. Erin initially claimed that she had been kidnapped.
Erin was not immediately seen as a suspect, but during interrogation, Waid revealed that he had been offered $2,000 for his involvement in the killings.
Erin Caffey’s kidnapping claim quickly fell apart. Wilkinson, Waid, and Johnson all provided matching testimonies according to law enforcement.
The Punishment
Wilkinson claimed that he had proposed that they flee together but had never suggested murder. However, Caffey, Wilkinson, Waid, and Waid’s girlfriend were all convicted of three counts of capital murder.
In October 2008, Wilkinson and Waid received life sentences without the possibility of parole. Three months later, Johnson and Erin Caffey both pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Johnson received two consecutive 40-year sentences, with the possibility of parole after 24 years. Erin Caffey was charged with capital murder for her involvement in the murders of her mother and two younger brothers.
Final Note
Despite the immense suffering endured by the Caffeys, Terry Caffey has remained steadfast in his adherence to the forgiveness teachings of his faith.
Since accepting her side of the story, Terry maintains a good relationship with Erin and continues to visit her in jail.
