Major and Claudette Melvin, an octogenarian couple, were found murdered in their Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home on March 22, 2024. The couple, married for 60 years and beloved in their community, were shot in what appears to be a targeted attack, leaving their family and residents seeking answers and justice.
Major Melvin, 89, and Claudette Melvin, 85, were known for their kindness and dedication to their family, which includes 11 children and 28 grandchildren. Major, a retired backhoe operator, and Claudette, a former hospital housekeeper, had made their home in Fort Lauderdale for over five decades.
The incident occurred when the couple was attacked in their home, a place where they had lived for over 50 years. According to family members, Major was shot while sleeping on the living room couch. Claudette was killed as she emerged from the bedroom, having been awakened by the sound of gunfire. The assailant left behind Claudette’s purse and other valuables, leading investigators to believe that robbery might not have been the primary motive. Adding to the mystery, Claudette’s brother, who has special needs and was present in the home at the time of the murders, was unharmed but unable to provide any information about the incident.
In the aftermath of the killings, the couple’s red 2014 Ford Focus, bearing the Florida license plate LTDQ16, was reported missing. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has issued a nationwide alert for the vehicle, but there has been no indication that it has left the area yet. Homicide Sgt. Donald Geiger of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department emphasized the importance of locating the car. He remained reserved about the details of the ongoing investigation and whether automated license plate readers had spotted the vehicle.
The family, in their grief, has publicly expressed their incomprehension and anger over the senseless act. “We’re angry. We’re very angry,” Kim Melvin Hill, one of the couple’s daughters said during a press conference. Her sister, Tonya Mitchell, referred to the perpetrator as “this maggot,” underlining the depth of the family’s despair and desire for justice.
As the community reels from the loss, a reward of $5,000 has been offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects. The police are urging anyone with knowledge about the killings or the whereabouts of the stolen vehicle to come forward. Neighbors and friends of the Melvins have been left confused and frightened by the brutality of the crime, emphasizing that Major and Claudette were people who would help anyone in need.
The Melvin family and the Fort Lauderdale community now wait for answers. Major and Claudette Melvin’s funeral is scheduled for April 13. Family, friends, and community members will gather to remember a couple whose lives were marked by love, service, and an enduring commitment to each other and their family.