Wife, child of Rays prospect killed in apparent triple homicide

Tampa Bay Rays minor-league pitcher Blake Bivens' wife, child, and mother-in-law were killed in an apparent triple homicide in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, on Tuesday, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported.

The Pittsylvania County sheriff's office confirmed Wednesday that 25-year-old Emily Bivens, 1-year-old Cullen Bivens, and 62-year-old Joan Bernard were killed, per Elizabeth Tyree of WSET 13 News. The suspect, 18-year-old Matthew Bernard, is the brother of Bivens' wife, Emily, according to Passan.

Matthew Bernard was arrested Tuesday afternoon following a police chase through the area. He's since been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and is being held in jail without bail. Bernard will make his first court appearance on Thursday.

Bivens' team, the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, canceled its doubleheader Tuesday due to a "tragic event." A few hours later, the Rays confirmed Bivens' family was involved.

"Earlier today we learned that Blake Bivens, a pitcher with our Double-A affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits, suffered a terrible family tragedy in southern Virginia," the Rays wrote in a statement. "Our hearts are broken for Blake. We are grieving with him and will support him any way we can. We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the Bivens family and the Biscuits family during this extremely difficult time."

Soon after, the Biscuits released a statement of their own.

"First and foremost, the Biscuits' thoughts and prayers are with Blake and all those who have been impacted by the tragedy," Biscuits CEO and managing owner Lou DiBella said. "We appreciate the outpouring of support and concern, but ask that you respect the privacy of the family during this difficult time."

Bivens, 24, was the Rays' fourth-round draft pick in 2014.