Murder suspect's shock deathbed confession leads to chilling discovery in cold case of mother and daughter who went missing in West Virginia 24 years ago

A West Virginia man indicted for killing a mother and her daughter made a deathbed confession in the 24-year-old cold case.

Larry Webb, who was in his 80s, was indicted on murder charges in October 2023 for the 2000 disappearance of Susan Carter, 41, and her 10-year-old daughter, Natasha 'Alex' Carter.

The mother and daughter had not been seen since August 8, 2000, and had been living at Webb's house at the time of their disappearance. 

Police said Webb, who reportedly had dementia, suffered a medical episode on Monday at the Mount Olive Correctional Complex and made a confession that led authorities to find their bodies. 

'It was a detailed, undeniable, unconflicted confession,' Raleigh County Prosecutor Ben Hatfield said. Webb indicated 'that he believed he had to shoot Alex Carter to avoid detection for having killed Susan Carter.' 

The remains of Susan Carter, 41, and her 10-year-old daughter, Natasha 'Alex' Carter (pictured), were discovered nearly 24 years after they went missing

Larry Webb confessed to killing Susan (pictured) and her daughter on his deathbed

Webb (pictured) suffered a medical episode on Monday at the Mount Olive Correctional Complex and made a confession that led authorities to find their bodies

His confession led authorities to find their remains on Monday at Webb's home on the 100 block of Kyle Lane in Beckley, reported WSAZ.

'It's kind of a sad day, but also a happy day because I can bring my baby home,' said Rick Lafferty, Alex's father.

Authorities said Webb shot Susan after allegedly discovering some money was missing from the home, then killed Alex to cover up Susan's murder.

Webb wrapped the bodies in bed linens and placed them in his basement that night. Over the next two nights, Webb dug a shallow grave in the woods on his property, burying the mother and daughter in their clothes, Hatfield said.

'The way the crime was detailed to us by Larry Webb and the condition we found the bodies in confirmed for us with a high degree of certainty that the two bodies found are those of Susan and Alex Carter,' FBI Supervisory Special Agent Tony Rausa said. 

Before he died, Webb was brought to the excavation site, 'but his mind is not what it used to be,' Rausa said. 

'He couldn't pinpoint the location. And with surgical precision, these two operators worked those excavators and literally went row by row by row.' 

Webb shot Susan after allegedly discovering some money was missing from the home, then killed Alex to cover up Susan's murder. He buried their bodies in his backyard

Webb was pronounced dead at a hospital six hours before the remains were discovered.

He was indicted in October on a murder charge in the girl's disappearance, but his incarceration was delayed until this month due to his deteriorating health.

Police executed search warrants at Webb's home in 2022 and 2023. During one of those searches a bullet was extracted from a bedroom wall and DNA tests eventually confirmed blood on the bullet belonged to Alex.

During one of those searches, Webb told WVNS he did not know what happened to the girl and did not know when he last saw her.

'I've looked for them, over the years, I even went to Cleveland and looked for them,' said Webb. 

'I don't know. I just know I loved her with all my heart, and I loved that little girl, too.'