Florida Couple With 28 Grandchildren Were Killed Months Ago. Police Suspect Granddaughter Was Behind It
The granddaughter of an old Florida couple is suspected by authorities of conspiring with a man to murder her grandparents, who were discovered dead in March.
Major, 89, and Claudette Melvin, 85, were found dead at their home on March 22, according to a Fort Lauderdale Police Department press release.
Jalisa Hill, 38, one of the Melvins’ 28 grandkids, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder on Thursday, Sept. 12, police said. This comes weeks after Maurice Newson, 30, was charged with the same offenses as well as one count of robbery with a firearm.
In March, officers rushed to Major and Claudette’s home and discovered that their car had gone missing. It was discovered in a tow yard in May, according to authorities.
According to authorities, Newson was recognized as the individual who sold the vehicle to the tow yard, and he was detained on May 23 and charged with theft and dealing in stolen property. He pled not guilty to the accusations and was released on bond, according to the Associated Press.
According to police, Newson was charged with two charges of murder on August 27 after further probable cause was discovered.
Authorities have not stated what led to the charges against Newson and Hill, only that it is “believed [Hill] worked in conjunction with Maurice Newson to murder her grandparents,” according to the announcement.
According to both Local 10 and NBC Miami, Hill and Newson dated once before.
According to AP, the Melvins had been married for 60 years and had 28 grandchildren.
It is unclear whether Hill or Newson have retained an attorney or entered a plea.
A GoFundMe page launched by another of Major and Claudette’s grandchildren has raised more than $3,000.