A welfare check at a gated golf community home uncovered a double homicide that now carries unsettling questions about a reported months-long scam targeting one of the victims.
BERMUDA DUNES, CA – Donald Whitaker, 80, and Karen Whitaker, 79, were found dead inside their home on May 15 after Riverside County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call for a welfare check at the Bermuda Dunes Country Club, an exclusive residential community in Riverside County. Authorities said both victims suffered “traumatic injuries” and confirmed the case is being investigated as a homicide.
Officials have not disclosed how the couple was killed or identified any suspects. No arrests had been announced as of Thursday, and investigators have not publicly linked a reported financial scam involving Karen Whitaker to the killings.
Reported scam raises concerns among family and friends
In the days following the discovery, a friend of the couple told local television outlets that Karen Whitaker had been the target of an alleged impersonation scam. Joy Miedecke told KESQ that Whitaker believed she had been communicating with actor Tom Selleck and had been sending money over several months.
Miedecke said the contact began after Whitaker posted on Facebook about a deceased friend. “And now we have something in common. And that started the whole thing,” Miedecke said, describing how the alleged scammer introduced themselves.
According to Miedecke, the payments began with gift cards ranging from $80 to $800 before escalating to thousands of dollars. Family members and friends attempted to intervene, reporting the situation to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and Adult Protective Services.
Efforts to stop payments reportedly unsuccessful
Despite attempts to limit her financial access, Karen Whitaker continued sending money through other means, Miedecke said. Friends and family even sought outside help to convince her the communication was fraudulent.
“Tom Selleck does not do this,” Miedecke recalled someone telling Whitaker after reaching out to a person connected to the actor. “It didn’t matter. She couldn’t stop believing it,” she said.
In a separate interview with KMIR, Miedecke described Donald Whitaker’s reaction after learning of the situation, saying he was “full of grief.”
Investigators have not confirmed whether the alleged scam played any role in the deaths. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information to contact Central Homicide Investigator Hood at (951) 955-2777 or Thermal Station Investigator Gutierrez at (760) 863-8990.
