FoxNews.com is reporting on the death of Voncile Smith, 77, and her two sons, Richard, 49 and John, 47, whose mutilated bodies were found in their Pensacola-area home on July 31.

Police believe the family was killed sometime after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, which coincides with a celestial phenomenon known as a “blue moon.” A blue moon refers to the rare appearance of two full moons in one month, which only occurs once every few years. The event is highly significant to some practicing witches who revere the moon from which they claim to draw their magical power.

This event, plus some “initial research” done by police at the scene suggest that the Smith family killing may have been ritualistic.

"The method of the murder — blunt force trauma [with a claw hammer], slit throats, positioning of bodies — and our person of interest has some ties to a faith or religion that is indicative of that,” said Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. “The time of the death on Tuesday also coincides with what’s referred to as a blue moon, which occurs every three years."

Morgan said there were many oddities about the case, such as how the family was so reclusive that they had lived on the street for years and yet not a single neighbor had ever been inside their house.

Richard Smith, who was an employee at the Department of Homeland Security, had also been shot in the head in what authorities believe was an effort to incapacitate him. Smith worked at the Naval Air Station Pensacola but officials with the Naval Criminal Investigative Services have said there are no issues involving national security connected to the case.

Police also found no signs of forced entry into the house, indicating that the Smiths knew the killer.

A safe containing $7,000 was left untouched.

A person of interest, who has links to witchcraft, has been questioned but thus far no arrests have been made.

"While we have a person of interest," Morgan said, "there are still many things about this case we want to pursue."

Although the practice of witchcraft is eclectic with no real uniformity, many practicing witches believe that the days following a full moon are a time to work any spells that require extra power such as for protection, divination, etc. These practices stem from a belief that because the moon is the closest celestial body to earth, it exudes the most accessible power to those engaged in the dark arts.

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace® http://www.womenofgrace.com