Riverside Sheriff Says 2 Bermuda Dunes Deaths May Be Murder-Suicide After Elder Abuse Scam
Updated
Updated · kuna noticias y kuna radio · May 21
Riverside Sheriff Says 2 Bermuda Dunes Deaths May Be Murder-Suicide After Elder Abuse Scam
8 articles · Updated · kuna noticias y kuna radio · May 21
Riverside County sheriff's investigators said evidence now suggests the deaths of Donald Whitaker, 80, and Karen Whitaker, 79, were a murder-suicide, though the case remains under active investigation.
The couple were found Friday with traumatic injuries inside their Bermuda Dunes home on Montego Bay Drive, and authorities said they are still exhausting leads before issuing a final determination.
Investigators also confirmed Donald Whitaker had been targeted in a financial elder abuse scheme, but said there is no evidence the unknown scammers were directly involved in the deaths.
The sheriff's office said it does not believe the incident poses a broader threat to the community and asked anyone with information to contact homicide investigators.
Did a celebrity impersonation scam push an elderly couple to a violent and tragic end?
With friends reporting the scam beforehand, why did the system fail to prevent this couple's deaths?