Tampa Bay Rays Prospect Wishes Happy Birthday to Slain Wife Months After She and Son Were Killed

Harriet Sokmensuer

Tampa Bay Rays prospect Blake Bivens marked what would be his slain wife’s 25th birthday on Thursday with a sweet and somber post on social media.

Bivens posted a series of photos of himself and his wife, Emily Bivens, along with the couple’s 1-year-old son, Cullen. Emily and Cullen, along with Emily’s mother, Joan, were fatally shot in August, allegedly by Emily’s 19-year-old brother Matthew Bernard, who is charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

The post included a video of Bivens holding balloons beside the graves of his loved ones.

“Happy 25th Birthday in heaven, baby! I thank God everyday for letting me have you for a short time,” Bivens captioned the photos. “Your love and kindness has impacted so many people. I miss you so much. Give our little pooh bear a kiss for me. I love you both so much and can’t wait to see you again.”

View this post on Instagram

Happy 25th Birthday in heaven, baby! I thank God everyday for letting me have you for a short time. Your love and kindness has impacted so many people. I miss you so much. Give our little pooh bear a kiss for me. I love you both so much and can’t wait to see you again.

A post shared by Blake Bivens (@blakebbins) on Oct 10, 2019 at 3:57am PDT

RELATED: Tampa Bay Rays Prospect’s Wife, Son and Mother-in-Law Are Killed — and Brother-in-Law Is Arrested

AL.com, citing the criminal complaint against Bernard, reports that he allegedly first attacked a female neighbor before shooting the three victims with a rifle.

Bernard allegedly fled, prompting a manhunt that involved a tank at one point and even led to the lockdown of a nearby school.

The criminal complaint alleges Bernard emerged from the woods naked and went to a nearby church, where he allegedly choked an employee.

RELATED: Tampa Bay Rays Prospect Says ‘My Heart Was Turned to Ash’ After Wife, Toddler Son Were Killed

Police eventually took him into custody, placing him on suicide watch.

Investigators have yet to disclose a possible motive for the violence.

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Bernard is reportedly being treated at a local medical facility.

He has not yet entered a plea. His lawyer, James Martin, could not be reached for comment Friday. Bernard’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 6.

Bivens played last year for the team’s Double-A affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits, in Alabama

Days after his loved ones’ deaths, he shared his feelings on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

Two days ago my heart was turned to ash. My life as I knew it is destroyed. The pain my family and I feel is unbearable and cannot be put into words. I shake and tremble at the thought of our future without them. Emily, my sweetheart, you are the best wife and mother this world has ever seen. You made me into the man I am today and you loved me with all of my flaws. You brought our precious baby boy into this world and made our family complete. Your love and kindness changed countless lives, including mine. My sweet little boy, dada loves you so much! I can’t breathe without you here. I finally understood what love was when you were born and I would have done anything for you. You have changed my life forever, you are my reason why. I long to hold the both of you again in heaven. I’m so glad you are with all your Great-grandmothers now, I know they are eating you up. This earth did not deserve either of you; you were just too wonderful to comprehend. Joan you were the best mother-in-law anyone could ask for. You loved your family more than anyone I’ve ever seen. You raised the most wonderful girl in the world. I’m so glad y’all are still together. You were the best Nana this world has ever seen and I will never forget you. Skip you are a wonderful father and grandfather. We will get through this together as a family. We will not let the devil win! Thank you God for giving me the most wonderful family in the world! I’ve been blessed beyond belief. Thank you to all my family and friends who have reached out to me during this time of sorrow. Thank you @raysbaseball @biscuitbaseball for your support through everything. I am comforted by all the messages and well wishes. I’m not sure what is next for me, but I do know God has a plan even though I can’t see it.

A post shared by Blake Bivens (@blakebbins) on Aug 29, 2019 at 6:55pm PDT

“Two days ago, my heart was turned to ash,” Bivens wrote in a post that featured a photo of Emily, Cullen and Joan.

“My life as I knew it is destroyed,” Bivens wrote. “The pain my family and I feel is unbearable and cannot be put into words. I shake and tremble at the thought of our future without them.”