Older Florida couple found slain in their home; police believe killer stole their car

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida police are seeking the public’s help in finding a car stolen from an elderly couple who were shot to death in their home.

Fort Lauderdale police issued another all-points bulletin Thursday for a red 2014 Ford Fusion belonging to Major Melvin, 89, and his 87-year-old wife, Claudette, who were found murdered last Friday. The car’s Florida license plate is LTDQ16.

Police believe the killer stole the car but have released few details about the shooting. The couple’s daughter, Tonya Mitchell, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that detectives told her the killer entered through the front door, which she found strange.

Mitchell said her parents always kept the front door locked and allowed visitors to enter through the back door. Her father was also shot while sleeping on the living room couch, and it appears her mother was shot as she left the bedroom in response, she said.

She said her parents were caring for her brother, who had special needs and was in the home. He was unharmed but could not provide any information, she said.

She said only the car appears to have been stolen; her mother’s purse, the couple’s cellphones and other valuables were not touched.

Mitchell, who was home in North Carolina when the killings occurred, said her parents had no enemies and she couldn’t think of any reason why someone would kill them.

“It looks like a damn hit,” Mitchell told the newspaper. “It sounds like something on TV. Who would want to kill them? My parents didn’t do anything to anyone.”

A police spokesperson said in a statement Thursday that the department could not confirm any details.

Mitchell did not return a call from The Associated Press on Thursday.