Georgia police have arrested and charged four males including a 13-year-old boy for the murders of Bermudian Sherlene Swan, 58, and her husband Jerry Church, 62.

The pair were beaten to death in their home late Friday or early Saturday and their bodies were discovered on Sunday after Police picked up four people driving vehicles belonging to the couple.

Ms Swan, who was also known as Robinson from a prior marriage, had lived in the States for more than 30 years, and had married Mr. Church on December 2 last year.

Yesterday cousin Joanne Brangman said the family had been rocked by the slayings.

"She was a good person, she loved people, she loved music and her family. Her grand-daughter was just born but she never got to meet her.

"We are all in a state of shock."

Ms Swan, who was originally from Pembroke and had been educated at Prospect Secondary School, was in semi-retirement after working in a nursing home, said Ms Brangman.

Describing Ms Swan as a happy, lively person, a tearful Ms Brangman added: "I spoke to her on Monday — she was talking about her seven-year-old grandson, about how she would like to have him come to Georgia for the summer."

Harris County Chief Deputy Neil Adams said he believes detectives have charged everyone involved in the murder.

The four include a 13-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy and two men aged 19 and 21.

"There are multiple charges including theft and robbery, each one of them has been charged with two counts of murder," said Mr. Adams.

Mr. Adams said the killings are a rare event in the middle-income residential area of Melody Lakes in Waverly Hall, Georgia.

He told The Royal Gazette: "I have been here for 13 years and during that time we have probably had less than five murders in this jurisdiction — which covers 400 square miles."

Mr. Adams said locals knew little about Ms Swan although Mr. Church is believed to be a Vietnam vet.

The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported that Harris County Sheriff's deputies had arrived at the couple's home on Sunday afternoon to inform the couple that their car had been stolen and wrecked in a drunk-driving accident. Then their bodies were discovered

Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley said there was blood on the screen door and a body on the floor. Another body was later discovered in the living room. There were no signs of life. Robinson and Church had both been beaten to death, the sheriff added. Police have yet to determine the weapon.

"The house was in disarray. It appeared to be ransacked," Jolley said.

Investigators determined the couple had died from blunt force trauma either late Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning.

Neighbours said they knew little about Ms Swan but Mr. Church was a kindly soul willing to help anyone.

Kevin Thomas McKay, a 21-year-old, who was related to the couple and on parole for a burglary in Harris County, was arrested after the incident and charged, alongside 19-year-old Dereck Cox, with two counts of murder, aggravated assault, burglary and robbery. Police have not released the names of the minors. McKay is also charged with drink-driving and possession of marijuana.

He is accused of beating the couple to death before stealing their 2004 Chrysler Sebring and Wachovia bank cards, then driving under the influence and wrecking the car.

McKay was picked up shirtless and carrying a bottle of vodka after he had disappeared into woods after wrecking the car. Investigators found several bottles of alcohol in and around the car.

Ms Swan's surviving relatives include her mother Madge Swan, daughters La-Vawn Simons, Sher-Vawn Robinson-Brown, sister Sherlyn Swan-Caisey and brothers Alfred (Nick), Dwayne and Mark Swan.