Former Macomb County resident named as suspect in Independence Twp. slaying of live-in boyfriend, brother

Authorities are searching for an armed former Macomb County resident who is accused of fatally shooting her live-in boyfriend and brother today in Oakland County’s Independence Township.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office described Ruby Taverner as armed and dangerous, who has access to three firearms. She should not be approached, said Sheriff Michael Bouchard.

“Our Fugitive Apprehension Team, other detectives and assets are actively looking for thishomicide suspect who we believe is armed and dangerous,” Bouchard said in a statement. “Please contact 911 if you see her or know of her whereabouts.”

Taverner, 22, who was formerly known as Martin Taverner, is accused in the early-morning slaying of her boyfriend, Ray Muscat, 26, who was formerly known as Amber Muscat. Both underwent sex-change procedures, authorities said.

The suspect is also accused of killing Taverner’s brother, Bishop Taverner, 25, of Oxford, according to the sheriff’s office.

Oakland County sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call at the Independence Square Apartments, 5901 Dixie Highway about about 3:20 a.m. Sunday. The caller, who lived in the apartment, told dispatchers she was woken by what she believed were gunshots.

Rudy Taverner(PHOTO — OAKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

Bishop Taverner’s body was found in the living room, investigators said. He had been shot once.

Muscat’s body was found in a rear bedroom. He and Rudy Taverner lived together.The motive for the shootings is not known. It was not immediately clear how long Ruby Tavernerand Muscat were in their relationship.

Detectives believe Ruby Taverner left the apartment on foot. Her vehicle and her cell phone were recovered at the scene.

She is a white female, approximately 5-feet 2-inches tall, thin build and weighs about 115 pounds with purple hair.

Investigators said she has three weapons registered to her – two 9mm and one .38 caliber handguns. One of the weapons was purchased within the past week.

The suspect and her slain brother were both raised in Macomb Township, Steve Huber, a communications officer for the sheriff’s office, said in an email.

Macomb County Circuit Court records show Judge Tracey Yokich signed the court order allowing the former Martin Taverner to be named Ruby Taverner in January 2021

According to Ruby Taverner’s Facebook page, she formerly attended L’Anse Creuse Public Schools and worked at a Starbucks store.

Raymond Muscat’s social media page indicates he was into cosplay, where people dress up as characters from a movie. He went by the nickname of RayyGraveyard.

The Waterford resident posted a photo of him with Taverner on Halloween with the sentence: “had a fun time at youmacon 2021 with my beautiful girlfriend been together for 1 year and a month now ^^ about to be another month.” Youmacon is an annual four-day anime convention held during November Detroit.