Fla. Couple with 28 Grandchildren Were Killed Months Ago. Police Allege Granddaughter Was Behind It

Mar. 15, 2025

Major and Claudette Melvin.Photo:Kesha Anderson Francis/GoFundMe

Kesha Anderson Francis/GoFundMe

Major, 89, and Claudette Melvin, 85, were found dead in their home on March 22, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department said in a release.

On Thursday, Sept. 12, Jalisa Hill, 38, one of the Melvins’ 28 grandchildren, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, police said, weeks after Maurice Newson, 30, was charged with the same offenses as well as one count of robbery with a firearm.

When police responded to the home of Major and Claudette in March, it was discovered that their car was missing. It was later located at a tow yard in May, police said.

Newson was allegedly identified as the person who sold the vehicle to the tow yard, police claimed, and on May 23 he was arrested and charged with theft of a motor vehicle and dealing in stolen property. He pleaded not guilty to those charges and was released on bond, theAssociated Pressreported.

Maurice Newson, left, and Jalisa Hill.Broward County Jail

Broward County Jail

Police say that after obtaining further probable cause, Newson was charged with two counts of murder on Aug. 27.

BothLocal 10andNBC Miamireported that Hill and Newson had once dated.

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The AP reported that the Melvins had been married for 60 years and had 28 grandchildren.

It is not immediately clear if either Hill or Newson has retained an attorney or entered a plea.

source: people.com