Barbara and Philip Russo
Arrest made in Deerfield Beach double murder
DEERFIELD BEACH, FL — A double-murder suspect was tracked down in Lake Worth and accused of killing a popular elderly couple in their Deerfield Beach home, Broward Sheriff Scott Israel announced Thursday night. He was identified as Rosario Melici, 60, of Lake Worth.
"It was not a random act of violence," Israel said.
The bodies of Barbara Russo, 78, and Philip Russo, 88, were discovered by their adult daughter Monday evening in their condominium, The Palms of Deer Creek.
"These two unfortunate people were targeted and murdered," Israel said. He declined to describe how the couple knew the male suspect, citing the investigation.
When asked if the arrestee acted alone, the sheriff said, "At this time, there was one arrest made."
Melici was interviewed Thursday night by detectives at the agency's public safety building in Fort Lauderdale and, according to records, was later booked into Broward's Main Jail.
He is facing two counts of premeditated murder, the records show.
The couple, married for two decades, died in a violent manner, investigators said.
Crime scene investigators, some of whom wore white protective clothing from head to toe, have often been at the Russo's condo since the bodies were found.
BSO spokeswoman Dani Moschella had said there was a lot of evidence to process in the two-bedroom, two-bath unit on the second floor of a four-story building.
The apartment is one of 324 units in the 2400 block of Deer Creek Country Club Boulevard.
The Russos' daughter also lives in the community. Some of its elderly residents expressed shock about what happened to their neighbors.
Homeowners, BSO and the community association all said it was not a high-crime area.
Some of the couple's neighbors said the Russos, especially Philip, wore a lot of gold jewelry. Before Thursday night's arrest, some had speculated that they may have been targeted by robbers.
Ken Harrington, who with his wife Kathy met the couple when they moved in 20 years ago, said, "I worried about him wearing it."
The foursome shared life events like the Harrington children's baptisms and confirmations and the Russos' wedding celebration, and even though the Harringtons moved to Boca Raton, they kept in touch, Ken Harrington said.
He called the deaths "a big loss for humanity and for the people of Deer Creek. Phil was really one of the greatest guys in the world. My kids, wife and I loved them both very much and are devastated by the tragedy."
He was troubled that investigators say the suspect knew the Russos.
"I'm scratching my head, trying to think who it could be," Harrington said. "I'm curious about the degree to which they knew them. I doubt they could have known them that well, to do that to them."
He said Phil Russo "could befriend anybody. He'd take his shirt off for anybody, even if it was the first day he met you."
Two neighbors said they last saw the couple on Sunday while attending 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Deerfield Beach, where the Russos registered in 1994.
The community association's administrative assistant said she has started a prayer chain for the couple at her church.
"I just know the family has got to be in pain," Gena Donaty said.
The Russos were described by friends as being devoted to each other, and were regularly seen at the community's monthly clubhouse dinners during the winter season or playing bocce and bingo games.
They were also avid card players and enjoyed the gym and pool when not in their unit that overlooks the greens of the Deer Creek Golf Club.
The U.S. Marshals and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office helped in the apprehension, BSO said. Israel praised detectives for making an arrest within 56 hours of the incident, and expected to release more information about the case in coming days.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/bro...,2323787.story
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