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Granddaughter arrested in Fort Lauderdale couple’s murder

It comes about 2 weeks after her former boyfriend’s arrest

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale police have made another arrest in the case of a senior couple murdered in their own home back in March: The pair’s own granddaughter.

Authorities took Jalisa Hill, 34, into custody on two first-degree murder charges Thursday.

She’s now accused in connection with the killings of her octogenarian grandparents, Major and Claudette Melvin, back on March 22. The two were found shot to death and their vehicle was stolen.

Hill’s arrest comes about two weeks after the arrest of her former boyfriend, 30-year-old Maurice Anthony Newson. Local 10 News was there as a Fort Lauderdale police officer walked her into the Broward County jail Thursday evening.

“It is believed she worked in conjunction with Maurice Newson to murder her grandparents,” a Fort Lauderdale Police Department spokesperson said Thursday. “FLPD is able to close this case thanks again to our community who provided information throughout this investigation that led to the arrests.”

Major and Claudette Melvin (WPLG)

Police took him into custody on Aug. 27.

Following their deaths, their red Ford Fusion was stolen from their driveway and immediately became the center of the investigation. Newson was linked to that car.

About two weeks after the murders, it was located at a tow yard in Wilton Manors after a man tipped off police after seeing the vehicle on the news.

In Newson’s previous arrest warrants, police said Hill voluntarily submitted to a polygraph test and was “untruthful on the question of being involved in the death of her grandparents.”

She was also evasive when Local 10 News tried to speak with her following Newson’s arrest.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct the suspect’s age.


About the Authors
Sanela Sabovic headshot

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.

Chris Gothner headshot

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.

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