A Florida woman is facing two counts of first-degree murder after it was discovered she is linked to the deaths of a married couple whose car she was caught driving shortly after New Year’s Day, police say.
Vickie Williams, 50, appeared in court Saturday and was denied bond. Investigators say she killed Darryl and Shannon Getman after their bodies were found inside their apartment at a senior living complex in Mount Dora. The couple was both in their 80s.
“They were kind. They were always helpful. If someone needed a favor, they stood there ready to help,” their neighbor Hank Borg told KBTX.
It is still unclear how the Getmans were murdered but surveillance footage showed the couple’s car leaving their complex shortly after their deaths. Police found the car hours north of Mount Dora in Savannah, Georgia, where Williams was found inside.
Williams is scheduled to appear in court January 30. In addition to first-degree murder, she has also been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle.
Williams has had prior run-ins at the complex where the couple was found dead. Interim Police Chief Michael Gibson told local media outlets that she was allegedly kicked out of the facility for asking a tenant to use her shower. She also stole keys from the same tenant, reports say.
Police say she has “very limited connection” to Central Florida and “it appears it was a random crime.”
“We are stunned, devastated and heartbroken by the horrific murder of our parents,” the couple’s children Anthony and Brittany Getman said in a statement. “If there are words to describe what has happened and its impact to our family and the community, we have not found them. Mom and Dad had been residents of Mount Dora for over 20 years and truly loved the area. They were enjoying their golden years staying active and spending time with their many friends.”
