An elderly couple in Bermuda Dunes, in Riverside County, died under violent circumstances after authorities say they suffered traumatic injuries inside their home. Donald Whitaker, 80, and Karen Whitaker, 79, were found dead on May 15 during a welfare check at their residence on Montego Bay Drive. Investigators now believe the case may involve a murder-suicide, though the investigation remains active.
In the days after the deaths, friends alleged that Karen had fallen victim to a long-running online scam involving someone posing as actor Tom Selleck. The suspected fraud reportedly began with a Facebook direct message and escalated into repeated financial requests sent through gift cards and text messages, according to KTLA.
According to friends, the scam started after Karen posted a memorial tribute on Facebook for a deceased friend. Soon afterward, someone contacted her claiming to be Selleck and said he had known and dated the woman she mourned. That alleged connection led to ongoing communication between the scammer and Karen.
It started with $80
Joy Miedecke, a friend of the couple, told reporters that the messages became constant. She said Karen first sent modest payments of roughly $80, but the requests allegedly escalated to thousands of dollars. The scammer allegedly requested payment through gift cards, a common tactic in online fraud schemes because the transactions are difficult to trace.
Friends and relatives, including Donald, reportedly tried for months to stop the scam. Miedecke said family members cut up credit cards, removed Karen from financial accounts, and attempted to convince her that the person messaging her was not the real Selleck. Adult Protective Services also reportedly visited the couple’s home multiple times after concerns surfaced about possible elder financial abuse.
Friends noted that Karen became hyper-fixated, “living and breathing” the fake relationship despite these desperate interventions, which likely caused severe emotional and financial distress in the household.
Authorities have not accused the real Selleck of wrongdoing, and there is no evidence that the actor was involved in the case.
Suspected homicide became alleged murder-suicide
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office initially described the deaths as a homicide investigation after deputies discovered both victims with traumatic injuries inside the home. No arrests followed the discovery, and investigators withheld details about the exact cause of death.
On May 21, investigators released a significant update. The sheriff’s department said evidence gathered so far suggests the deaths appear to be the result of a murder-suicide. Officials also confirmed Karen had experienced financial elder abuse tied to the alleged scam. However, investigators said they found no evidence directly linking the scammer or scammers to the couple’s deaths.
Despite that update, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
The case highlights the growing threat of romance scams and celebrity impersonation schemes targeting older Americans online. Federal authorities have repeatedly warned that scammers often use social media platforms, direct messaging, and gift card payments to exploit elderly victims.
Published: May 22, 2026 03:53 pm