An elderly Black couple was found dead inside their Fort Lauderdale home two months ago. Since then, there have been no tips on who was behind the killing and even less information from the police on the progress of their investigation.
Now, the coupleβs children are left wondering, βWho killed mom and dad?β
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Fort Lauderdale Police say that on March 22, they responded to a call, leading them to the home of 89-year-old Major Melvin and his wife, 85-year-old Claudette. Each of them were shot to death. Tonya Mitchell, the coupleβs daughter, previously stated that Mr. Melvin was shot as he was sleeping on the living room couch and Mrs. Melvin was shot as she was walking out of her bedroom, per NBC News. However, homicide Sgt. Donald Geiger has offered little to no information about the crime itself.
The strongest lead toward who may be the suspect behind the killing is the coupleβs missing red 2014 Ford Fusion (license plate LTDQ16). Officials across South Florida released an advisory to keep a lookout for the vehicle, the report says. However, Sgt. Geiger told reporters Wednesday in a press conference that there is no indication the car left the immediate area.
So... whereβs the car?
The Melvinsβ 11 children, desperate for answers, spoke out in a press conference seeking additional help from the public.
Read more from NBC Miami:
βThey were the most loving people that Iβve ever known. They lived in that area for many years. Whoever the perpetrator is they need to be found,β said Tonya Mitchell, one of the coupleβs daughters.
βIβm so numb I canβt feel. Yes, we are angry, we are very angry. We are still trying to wrap our minds about how can we? Who would? Who did? Why? So we ask those questions,β said Kim Melvin Hill, another daughter of the couple.
βIf you have any information on the car, any information on this maggot that was the individual we are asking the public, the media, please help us. We just want to find closure as to why. They didnβt deserve this,β Mitchell said through tears.
Thereβs been no talks of surveillance footage or witnesses who may have seen anyone entering or leaving the Melvinsβ home. Itβs also unclear how much the police do or donβt know given the scarce information. Despite this, Geiger insists he and the department are working restlessly to find the suspect.
βThis one really hits home for not only me but my detectives, it does. This is a couple born right after the depression, lived through WWII, lived through the civil rights movement, Vietnam War, everything imaginable theyβve lived through and now we end like this. Itβs something we are taking very seriouslyβ¦β Geiger told reporters.
Wednesday, he announced a reward of $5,000 to anyone with information that could lead to an arrest.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Fort Lauderdale Police at 954-828-5546.
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