Slayings rock quiet town after alleged Tom Selleck catfish targeted woman before couple found dead: friend

Authorities successful California are carrying retired a homicide probe aft deputies accidental an aged joined mates was recovered dormant successful their location connected Friday, May 15. 

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that 80-year-old Donald Whitaker and 79-year-old Karen Whitaker were recovered dormant with "traumatic injuries" successful their Bermuda Dunes, California, home.

Fox News Digital spoke with Joy Meidecke, who has been a adjacent person to the Whitakers for much than a decade. Miedecke is the president of the East Valley Republican Women Patriots — which is however she became acquainted with the couple.

Karen Whitaker was a unpaid wrong the East Valley Republican Women Patriots successful California. (Joy Miedecke)

She said Karen, who was a unpaid astatine EVRWP, whitethorn person fallen unfortunate to an online scammer posing arsenic celebrated histrion Tom Selleck.

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Their narration stemmed from an speech successful Facebook comments that turned to regular messaging.

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Karen had commented connected a station regarding the passing of a beloved friend, Miedecke said. The scammer past started replying to Karen's comments to wherever the 2 began a conversation, which flourished into a concealed relationship, she said.

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Karen Whitaker seen lasting with Charlie Kirk. (Joy Miedecke)

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"He romanced her, helium told her each these things," she said.

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Eventually, the scammer past began requesting wealth and monopolizing Karen's clip — Miedecke said it's imaginable that Karen whitethorn person sent hundreds of dollars to the Selleck poser.

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Over time, Miedecke said she reported the imaginable elder maltreatment to Riverside County Adult Protective Services. The bureau yet visited the Whitakers' home, to which Donald yet recovered retired astir the relationship, she said.

Karen Whitaker stands with a person astatine an lawsuit for East Valley Republican Women Patriots. (Joy Miedecke)

"Her hubby tried to speech to her. She wouldn't listen. So they chopped up each of her [credit] cards," Miedecke said.

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The Sheriff's Department is investigating the couple's decease arsenic a homicide; however, investigators person not revealed a suspect, nor person they announced immoderate charges.

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Fox News Digital has reached retired to Riverside Adult Protective Services.

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