Suspect in murder of Faria Beach couple, unborn baby pleads guilty

VENTURA, Calif. (KABC) -- The man suspected of killing a Ventura County couple and their unborn child in their Faria Beach home five years ago has pleaded guilty to murder.

Joshua Packer's guilty plea came Thursday after prosecutors finally dropped their intention to seek the death penalty. In addition to the plea, Packer also gave up all of his rights to appeal.

Packer admitted stabbing Brock and Davina Husted to death after he broke into their home to commit a robbery. Packer is also accused of sexually assaulting Davina Husted, who was pregnant.

Authorities said Packer entered the beachfront home through an open patio door. The couple's two children, 9 and 11, were home at the time of the murder but managed to escape harm.

DNA evidence collected in a separate case linked Packer to the murders. His DNA was entered into a state database after he was arrested in connection to a robbery at a Santa Barbara gas station in September 2009.

Packer is set to be sentenced Feb. 6.