MOOERS -- Word spread quickly Wednesday that Darcy Manor's death was likely the third in a string of murders over the course of a few weeks.

"It's horrifying. It's scary," said the Mooers man's aunt Betty Bushey after a news conference in the Mooers Town Office Complex.

Glen D. Race of Nova Scotia was apprehended near the Mexican border Tuesday morning; he has been charged with the murders of two men in Halifax and will also be charged with killing Manor.

"The senseless killing of this poor man is enough to rip you apart," said Martin V. Lavin, whose family corporation, Churubusco Lodge Inc., owns the camp where Manor was murdered last Thursday.

"It's beginning to take on some form as to why this ridiculous and unspeakable thing had to happen to destroy lives," the Burlington attorney said, the vibrato of anger plain in his voice.

"Particularly in view of the fact (the murderer) could have easily hidden away, it's pretty obvious he made a purposeful decision he was going to do something."

Lavin was relieved to learn Manor's stolen pickup truck had been recovered by police but was amazed it had traveled all the way to Texas.

"It doesn't seem possible," he said. "It's such a recognizable vehicle.

"I have this sneaking suspicion that we were unusually lucky (Race) did not get across that border," he added.

"He was so close to the border," marveled West Chazy resident Peter Hameline, expressing relief at the man's capture.

"Thank God they found him," echoed Ellenburg Depot Fire Chief Richard Manor, one of Darcy Manor's uncles. "I was very surprised they got him down there so close to the border."

Area residents still reeled over Manor's murder Wednesday afternoon as they took in the shocking news of the double homicides in Nova Scotia.

"I just felt that it couldn't have been someone who knew him," Kitty Begore said as she discussed the case with her customers at Sandi's Kountry Kitchen. "Darcy was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It sounds like this man was just desperate for what Darcy had on him."

"I didn't think it was anyone from here; I thought it had something to do with the border," said Shirley Snide, eating lunch at the restaurant with her husband, Donald. "You just never know nowadays. It seems like people kill over anything now."

Lavin traveled from Vermont to attend Manor's wake and funeral.