A woman in her 50s has been arrested in connection with the murder of an elderly husband and wife in their Florida retirement home – after she was found driving the couple’s car.
Darryl Getman, 83, and his wife Sharon, 80, were ‘enjoying their golden years of retirement’ at Waterman Village in Mount Dora when the senseless murder took place, police said.
On December 31, a concerned neighbor saw the Getmans’ garage door open and called security, according to police who added that when security responded they found the couple dead.
Vickie Lynn Williams, 51, has since been taken into custody in Savannah, Georgia, on car theft charges, and is a person of interest in the homicide, ABC News reported.
Darryl Getman, 83, and his wife Sharon, 80, were ‘enjoying their golden years of retirement’ at Waterman Village in Mount Dora, when they were murdered in what police have called a ‘random crime’
Police say a woman ‘dressed in a particular way’ was first seen at the retirement complex, 301 Lake Margaret Circle, at about 3pm on December 30 and was escorted out by security.
The woman was then caught on security camera back at the complex just over an hour later, police said during a press conference on the matter.
At about 10.58 pm, authorities said the woman entered the complex again and went to an apartment that did not belong to the Getmans, knocked on the door and asked the resident if she could take a shower.
The tenant ‘panicked’ and hit her alarm button to alert security and police, Mount Dora Interim Police Chief Mike Gibson said.
The woman asked the resident if she called 911, and when she responded yes, the woman ‘took off,’ and on her way out, allegedly grabbed keys to the tenant’s car and mailbox, Gibson said.
Officers responded but could not find the woman. At about 2.00 am on December 31, the Getmans’ car was seen leaving the retirement facility.
Vickie Lynn Williams, 51, has since been taken into custody in Savannah, Georgia, on car theft charges and has been named a person of interest in the homicide when she was found in the couple’s car
Police said they found the couple’s car with the person of interest inside in another state – but would not elaborate on which state the vehicle and the woman were discovered in
About 10 or 11 minutes later, the woman could be seen walking to the complex, but security wouldn’t let her in. Security then followed her to the edge of property and then ‘lost sight of her.’
At around 4 pm that same day, the couple were discovered dead in their apartment, according to investigators.
Gibson said that on Jan 2, law enforcement found the couple’s car with the person of interest, Vickie Lynn Williams, inside in another state.
He would not elaborate on which state the vehicle and the woman were discovered in.
‘It appears it was a random crime,’ Gibson said.
‘I believe it was someone that was simply passing through and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event.’
A person of interest was first seen at the retirement complex, 301 Lake Margaret Circle, at about 3 pm on Dec 30. The couple was found dead at 4pm the next day
The Getmans’ children said they had lived in Mount Dora for over 20 years and ‘truly loved the area.’ Police said the senseless murder appeared to be a ‘random’ crime
The Getmans’ children, Anthony and Brittany Getman, said in a statement released by the police department: ‘We are stunned, devastated and heartbroken by the horrific murder of our parents.’
‘Mom and Dad had been residents of Mount Dora for over 20 years and truly loved the area,’ they said.
‘They were enjoying their golden years staying active and spending time with their many friends.’
The siblings added that they ‘have every confidence’ in the police and ‘look forward to a successful resolution.’
‘We are shocked and saddened by the recent deaths of our residents which are currently under investigation,’ Waterman Village said in a statement Tuesday.
‘We are cooperating fully with the law enforcement authorities and have additional police presence on property during this time.’