FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – In a chilling murder mystery, an elderly couple was found dead in their Fort Lauderdale home last week, with the suspect or suspects making off with their vehicle, according to police.
When Tonya Mitchell received the devastating news that her parents had been killed, she and her sister hastily embarked on a journey from North Carolina to their parents’ residence on Southwest 30th Terrace.
According to Mitchell, her parents, Claudette and Major Melvin, both in their 80s, were discovered shot to death just before 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Mitchell claims the culprit or culprits gained entry through their unlocked front door. Her father was found on the couch, and as he attempted to rise upon the intruder’s arrival, he was fatally shot.
“Apparently they startled him,” said Mitchell. “He (Melvin) tried to get up and at the time of getting up, he must have fell on his knees and that person shot him.”
“By the time she could get to the kitchen, he hit her in the chest. Both of them were shot from what I can understand with a 9-millimeter, all they found at the house was the casings,” she added.
The couple, who had resided in the area for over 50 years, were cherished community members, leaving many bewildered as to who could commit the crime.
“We don’t have a clue as to who would do this to them,” Mitchell expressed. “They are the sweetest people that you ever would have known.”
She said the alleged killer or killers did not leave with any of their belongings from the home, solely taking the couple’s car, a 2014 red Ford Fusion with Florida tag number LTDQ16. The vehicle bears a scratch on the rear driver-side door and dents on the back bumper.
“Whoever did this did not take the money that was in his pocket, didn’t take the cellphone, didn’t take the money that was in her purse and all the valuables,” said Mitchell. “We are just asking the public to please help us catch this person that killed our parents.”
A funeral will be held for the couple on April 13. The family has created a GoFundMe page to help with expenses, and the page can be found by clicking here.
Authorities are urgently seeking the whereabouts of the stolen car, hoping it will lead them to the culprit or culprits.
“I’m just asking for everyone, anybody that has a clue or heard anything, don’t ever think it’s too small not to think about it,” said Mitchell. “Please notify the police.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Orlando Almanzar at 954-828-5546, Detective Leann Swisher at 954-828-4007, or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.