Both Gulf Coast victims beaten to death in their homes

Published 7:38 pm Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Mark Alan Henegan has been charged with murder in the beating death of the elderly uncle of a local prosecutor, according to Gulfport police.

On Monday, police charged Henegan in the beating death of 77-year-old Anthony Caranna, a longtime personal injury attorney and the uncle of District Attorney Cono Caranna. Anthony Caranna’s body was found in his home Sunday.

Henegan, 45, was arrested and charged Friday with the murder of 61-year-old Delphia Fitts, who was brutally beaten in her home.

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Caranna and Fitts lived in Broadmoor, one of Gulfport’s oldest neighborhoods.

Police have said they believe Fitts was murdered Wednesday. They have not yet released a time of death in Caranna’s case.

Assistant Chief Alfred Sexton declined to say whether investigators believe Henegan acted alone or if they believe more victims are still out there.

Henegan has been in police custody since Thursday, when paramedics found him lying on the ground.

Both victims died from blunt force trauma to the head, according to autopsies. In each case, the victims’ vehicles were taken from their home.

Police Chief Alan Weatherford said Fitts’ car was recovered just three streets from Caranna’s home.

Sexton said Caranna’s vehicle was discovered in the same block where paramedics found Henegan unconscious last week.

Henegan was being held without bond at the Harrison County Adult Detention Facility.