An elderly couple found dead inside their luxury golf community home are believed to have died in an apparent murder-suicide, investigators have revealed.
Police also disclosed that the wife had allegedly fallen victim to a cruel financial scam involving someone posing as Hollywood actor Tom Selleck.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said homicide detectives believe the deaths of Donald Whitaker, 80, and wife Karen Whitaker, 79, followed a murder-suicide after an extensive investigation into the shocking case.
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In a fresh update, investigators said there is currently “no evidence” linking those accused of financially exploiting Karen Whitaker to the couple’s deaths.
“The evidence available suggests this was a murder-suicide,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Detectives added they are continuing to “exhaust all leads” before making a final determination, as reported by Need To Know.
Authorities also confirmed Karen Whitaker had been the victim of financial elder abuse.
Police have not publicly named the suspects involved in the alleged scam.
However, previous reports claimed Karen believed she had been communicating online with former Magnum, P.I. star Tom Selleck and had allegedly sent thousands of dollars to someone impersonating him.
The couple were discovered on 15 May after deputies were called to carry out a welfare check at their home in Bermuda Dunes.
Officers found both Donald and Karen suffering traumatic injuries and they were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit later took over the investigation.
While detectives have not revealed how the couple died, officials stressed they do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public.
“Based on the evidence, homicide investigators do not believe there is a threat to the community as a result of this incident,” the sheriff’s office said.
Friends and neighbours described the Whitakers as a quiet retired couple who had lived in the gated golf community for years.
Their deaths shocked residents in Bermuda Dunes, an affluent desert community in Riverside County, southeast of Los Angeles, US.
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