Tuesday, September 30, 2014

FIRST PICTURE: The smiling grandmother beheaded by Muslim convert in the Oklahoma food factory where they both worked

Pictured-Smiling-grandmother-beheaded-Muslim-convert-Oklahoma-just-months-losing-home-tornado.html

Colleen Hufford, 54, killed last Thursday in apparent ISIS-style beheading
Grandmother's family and friends have set up a tribute page on Facebook
Post reads: 'She was beautiful soul who will be remembered for her smile'
Alton Nolen allegedly beheaded Ms Hufford before stabbing Traci Johnson
Incident took place at Vaughan Foods, food processing plant in Oklahoma
Nolen was then shot by firm's CEO Mark Vaughan, reserve sheriff's deputy
Last year, Ms Hufford lost beloved home in Moore, Oklahoma, to a tornado

Published: 03:51 GMT, 30 September 2014 | Updated: 11:44 GMT, 30 September 2014

Smiling with her whole family beside her, beheading victim Colleen Hufford looks every bit the loving wife, mother and grandmother.

The 54-year-old is pictured here for the first time since she was killed at Vaughan Foods in Moore, Oklahoma, last Thursday in an apparent ISIS-style beheading.

Since the brutal killing, her family and friends have set up a Facebook tribute page, on which they are asking users to donate to a special fund or to charity.

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Beloved: Colleen Hufford (far right) is pictured with her husband KC, daughter Kelli and granddaughter Riley

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Victim: The 54-year-old (left) was killed last Thursday in an apparent ISIS style beheading. Alton Nolen (right), who had just been fired from Vaughan Foods, allegedly walked into the factory and attacked her with a knife

The page, which is set on a backdrop bearing the moving message, 'Someday I'll see you again', shows a photo of Mrs Hufford alongside her husband KC, daughter Kelli and granddaughter Riley.

On a link to a donation page for the family, the site administrator wrote: 'Colleen Hufford was beautiful soul who will be remembered for always having a smile on her face and a kind word to offer.

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'She was a loyal wife, mother, and a doting grandmother.'

The administrator added that Mrs Hufford was an 'avid sports fan' known for her 'upbeat' personality and said any funds raised would help pay for her funeral and for Riley's education.

Within minutes of the Facebook page going live, dozens of people had posted moving tributes to the victim.

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Family: Colleen's family and friends have set up a tribute page on Facebook and are asking people to donate to charity. Above, in this image posted on the page, Mrs Hufford is seen with her daughter and granddaughter

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At home with her pets: On a link to a donation page for the family the site administrator wrote: 'Colleen Hufford was beautiful soul who will be remembered for always having a smile on her face and a kind word to offer'

Police: Muslim convert beheaded co-worker in Oklahoma

Friend Caroline Littlefield wrote: 'Beautiful family, beautiful person, we will miss you, Ms Colleen!'

Meanwhile, Sherri Macnamara said: 'The loss of this innocent victim whom was a caring member of our society is beyond reprehensible to me. Please know that there are people that are sending healing prayers your way.'

Karen Brooks wrote: 'May the one and only true God of peace and comfort wrap His loving arms around the loved ones of Colleen Hufford.'

And another message read: 'Colleen is one of the sweetest people I have ever known. While she may have only birthed one child, she had many of us that she adopted as her own. We love you and miss you Colleen!!!!'

Mrs Hufford was killed after Alton Nolen, who had just been fired from Vaughan Foods, allegedly walked into the food processing plant and attacked her with a large knife, severing her head.

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Sports fan: The administrator added that Colleen was an 'avid sports fan' with an 'upbeat' personality and said any funds raised would help pay for her funeral. Above, Colleen with Kelli (left) and at an arts class (right)

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Moving: Within minutes of the Facebook page going live dozens of people posted moving tributes to Colleen

Nolen then repeatedly stabbed 43-year-old Traci Johnson before he was shot by Mark Vaughan, a reserve sheriff's deputy and the company's chief operating officer, police said.

The suspect is set to be charged on Tuesday with first degree murder for the killing. He will also face a charge of assault and battery with a deadly weapon for the stabbing of Ms Johnson.

Mrs Hufford, who had been married to her husband KC for 25 years, had only just recovered from the trauma of losing her family home in the devastating Moore tornado last year.

Her neighbors described her as 'quick to smile' and said her husband picked her up from the food processing plant every night and he was outside when he found out she had been killed.

Today, it was revealed that Nolen had served less than two years of a six-year prison sentence for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

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Previous trauma: Colleen, who had been married to husband KC for 25 years, had only just recovered from the trauma of losing her family home in the devastating Moore tornado last year when she was attacked

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Accused: Nolen (pictured) allegedly attacked Ms Hufford with a large knife, eventually severing her head, before repeatedly stabbed 43-year-old Traci Johnson. He was then shot by the factory's CEO Mark Vaughan

According to records, he went to prison March 10, 2011, to start a two-year sentence for marijuana possession and another two-year sentence for assaulting a highway patrol trooper, the website reported.

He began his six-year sentence for cocaine possession April 26, 2011. Records show that due to plea agreements, he was allowed to serve the three prison sentences at the same time.

He was released on March 22, 2013, the documents reveal.

'Our intent was to incarcerate him much longer than a year and 11 months,' Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said on Friday.

'This case perfectly illustrates the problem with the Department of Corrections.'

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Crime: Traci Johnson (left) was allegedly stabbed by Nolen, before the suspect was shot by Mr Vaughan (right)

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Scene: Ms Hufford's neighbors described her as 'quick to smile' and said her husband picked her up from the food processing plant (pictured) every night and he was outside when he found out she had been killed

'If it's not an 85 percent crime, we have no idea how long a person will actually spend in prison.'

An FBI investigation into the incident is still pending, Deputy National Security Adviser Tony Blinken told Fox News. it is not known whether the act was one of terror.

On Nolen's Facebook page, listed under the name Jah'Keem Yisrael, he posted photos of Osama bin Laden and Taliban fighters, along with posts condemning a variety of aspects of American life.

Posts ranged from religious iconography to stock photography to even photos of supposed UFO activity.

Colleen Hufford was beautiful soul who will be remembered for always having a smile on her face and a kind word to offer

Facebook page administrator

It also included a graphic photo of a beheading.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for an Oklahoma City Islamic group said that Nolen was a frequent worshiper at a mosque the group maintains and that he remembers the suspect as 'a little weird.'

'He was a nice, quiet, low-key guy,' said Saad Mohammed, director of information for the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City.

'He acted a little odd,' Mohammed said, though he added that Nolen's behavior never raised any 'red flags' since he began worshiping at one of the group's centers in May.

He also said that Nolen attended services where sermons were delivered against beheadings like those committed by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, militants, reports CBS News.

'In no way, shape or form did he represent Islam in this foolish act,' Mohammed said.

Records show that Nolen has what appear to be religious tattoos, including one referencing Jesus and one in Arabic that means 'peace be with you.'

Lewis said Nolen was fired right before the attack, and that he then drove from the building that houses the company's human resources department to its main distribution center.

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In trouble with the law: Today it was revealed that Nolen (pictured) had served less than two years of a six-year prison sentence for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, reports News OK

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Reading the Koran: According to records he went to prison March 10, 2011, to start a two-year sentence for marijuana possession and another two-year sentence for assaulting a highway patrol trooper

Once inside, he attacked Mrs Hufford with a knife in the center's administrative office area, eventually severing her head, according to police.

Nolen then repeatedly stabbed Ms Johnson, who was treated for her injuries at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center.

She was released on Saturday, said Varina Shellman, clinical coordinator for the medical center, before being reportedly interviewed by police.

Police learned Nolen was fired for 'numerous reasons' involving 'personnel issues,' Lewis said, adding that he didn't know the specifics.

Police asked the FBI to help investigate Nolen after co-workers told investigators he had recently started trying to convert several employees to Islam.

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Salute: An FBI investigation into the incident is still pending, and Deputy National Security Adviser Tony Blinken told Fox News. Above, Nolen appears to perform ISIS's one-finger salute

Lewis said police asked the FBI to look into Nolen's background because of the nature of the attack, which followed a series of high-profile videotaped beheadings by Islamic State militants.

In a statement, FBI Special Agent in Charge James E. Finch said the motive for the attack had not been determined, but that there is no reason to believe there was a threat to anyone else.

'We don't have any reason to believe there is any danger to the area,' Lewis said.

My son was raised up in a loving home. My son was raised up believing in God. Our hearts bleed right now because of what they're saying Alton has done

Joyce Nolen

Nolen's mother and sister posted a video message on Facebook over the weekend, saying they were shocked and saddened by the allegations against him.

'My son was raised up in a loving home. My son was raised up believing in God,' hi mother, Joyce Nolen, said in the video. 'Our hearts bleed right now because of what they're saying Alton has done.'

Neighbor Donna Myers said Colleen's husband KC had told her he was 'overwhelmed' by the tragedy but he was 'really grateful' for all the support he had received.

Mrs Myers told MailOnline: 'The family moved here about a year ago after losing everything in the tornado.

'They were just getting settled and seemed to be enjoying life again.

'Colleen was such a very nice, quiet person. We would chat by the post box and she would talk about her daughter and granddaughter.

'They really enjoyed the pond out back and liked to feed the geese with Riley their granddaughter.

'Kelli was at the house a lot and her and Riley would stay over and meant the world to Colleen, it is such a tragedy.'

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'Saddened': Nolen's mother and sister (pictured) posted a video message on Facebook over the weekend saying they were shocked and saddened by the allegations against him

Mrs Myers, who works as a paramedic, said the Huffords were a normal family who enjoyed 'hanging out' together, fishing and going to church.

She said Mr Hufford works in IT and is based out of their home on the outskirts of Moore.

People wanting to donate money to the Hufford family are asked to visit the family fundme.com page.

They can also give money to Catholic Charities in Oklahoma or OU Children's Hospital.