Matt Whittington had no motive to plot and kill the parents of Connor Wood, Whittington’s aunt said Thursday.

Pamela Evans, the sister of Matt’s mother, Judy Whittington, said she was outraged at the statements Wood has allegedly made to investigators.

Wood, arrested Wednesday on three counts of first-degree murder, reportedly told police first that Whittington, 16, broke into the Wood’s Ferriday home and killed John and Jerri Wood.

Connor Wood then changed his story, saying he and Whittington had plotted to kill the Wood couple.

Wood allegedly killed Whittington after killing his own parents.

“Matt was just as much a victim as Connor’s parents,” Evans said. “I understand that Connor is only 15, but he took the life of a precious person to us. Why did Matt have to die like this?”

Evans said Whittington had befriended Wood years ago out of kindness because Wood had no other friends.

“It’s convenient for Connor that he’s the only survivor of the massacre that he alone planned,” Evans said.

“What motive would Matt have to end the lives of Connor’s parents? The only motive in this horrible tragedy lies within the mind of the only survivor.”

Wood reportedly called 911 at 3:41 a.m. to report the deaths of his parents and Whittington.

Evans said Whittington received a call from Wood at 1:30 a.m.

“Matt’s only fault is having a big heart and responding to a phone call from a friend who Matt thought was in need,” Evans said.

“Little did he know he was being set up and murdered.”

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ferriday Police and the District Attorney’s Office are investigating the case. All three agencies said Thursday the case was ongoing.

Wood has not been arraigned because, right now, his case is being handled as a juvenile one, District Attorney John Johnson said.

“He is being treated as a juvenile and is not subject to an arraignment,” Johnson said. “That could change.”

Because of the nature of the charges, according to Louisiana Children’s Code, Wood can be tried as an adult, Johnson said.

Johnson would not reveal Wood’s current location, saying his juvenile status protects that information.

Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kathleen Stevens said Wood was “within our protection.”

He is not under house arrest, she said.

Louisiana code allows for juveniles to be housed in an adult facility or a juvenile one, Johnson said.

Wood’s name does not appear in any arrest log, because he is a juvenile, Johnson said.

Wood has been home schooled since the third-grade, when he attended Huntington School.

Whittington was a sophomore at Cathedral School in Natchez who loved life, his aunt said.

“He couldn’t have had a happier life,” Evans said. “He had a loving, giving spirit. He was adamant about being an organ donor. He loved nature and animals. He had a flying squirrel he was trying to save.”

Whittington recently celebrated his 16th birthday and was looking forward to getting a driver’s license, Evans said.

He had taken the college entrance exam, the ACT and scored well, she said. He was interested in politics and sports.

“With everything to look forward to, why would Matt risk ruining his life for the demented longings of a friend who he only tolerated?” Evans said. “He doesn’t deserve to be remembered as a conspirator of a plot designed to benefit the only survivor.”

Funeral services for Whittington are tentatively set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Vidalia First Assembly of God.

He was the son of Dennis “Bubba” and Judy Whittington and the younger brother of Daniel Whittington.

No member of the Wood family could be reached for comment.