Makayla Joy Sitton was only 6-years-old when she was gunned down in front of her family on Thanksgiving Day. Her accused murderer, Paul Michael Merhige, is behind bars, and facing charges of not only killing his twin sisters, but his aunt and his little cousin Makayla. The murder rocked the Jupiter town in Florida for weeks while Merhige was on the run until his capture.
Now that the dust has settled, and many months have passed, Makayla’s parents Jim and Muriel Sitton launched her website and published a book in their daughter’s honor. “The Bear’s Castle” was Makayla’s idea before she was killed and now her own thoughts are available to purchase.
Makayla was extremely articulate, very creative and she loved to read. Muriel says one day Makayla told “The Bear’s Castle” story at their kitchen table, and thankfully there was a tape recorder to capture her beautiful words. A CD of Makayla’s voice telling the story is provided with each book. Inside the pages of the story you will find pictures Makayla made along with illustrations of her actual room and things that meant the most to her.
UPDATE 1 P.M. - I just spoke with Deputy U.S. Marshal Purri. He is one of the lead investigators who helped to put the pieces together for Saturday’s capture. USMS Purri says Merhige did not know more than 30 investigators descended on the motel’s location. Merhige was barricaded inside, a mattress and a dresser blocked the sliding glass door used to enter the room. U.S. Marshals threw a flash bang to break the glass open, and so they could enter. Merhige ran into the bathroom and was not listening to commands. Investigators on the scene had to tase Merhige to get him to listen, and to safely bring him into custody. Marshals on the scene were treating Merhige as being armed and dangerous since they know he was on the run with wepons, including a sniper rifle. “Since we had the element of surprise we took it,” says USMS Purri. I am also told that because of Merhige’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, he would shop for food for 30 days at a time, and close himself indoors and would not come out. The owners of the motel told authorities Merhige tried to pay for his room through February. Merhige did have his passport on him, but investigators say they knew he didn’t flee the country.
It’s been four weeks today since the deadly Thanksgiving shooting that took the lives of four family members in Jupiter, FL. It would be quite a blessing to find Paul Merhige, the man allegedly responsible for the shootings, and to bring him to justice for Christmas. Merhige is charged with four counts of first degree murder. Yesterday, investigators released brand new videoof Merhige in high school, and for the first time, we can hear his voice. I watched the entire interview, and it’s hard to believe this young, articulate, aspiring football player is the man police believe is responsible for killing his own family members. I spoke with Sgt. Scott Pascarella last week, and he says investigators from his region, including the United States Marshals and the FBI are all on board to tracking Merhige. They’ve received well over 180 tips, and 90% of those leads are exhausted. Authorities even searched the pond behind the house where the shooting took place three times looking for evidence. “We don’t want the fire to burn out,” Sgt. Pascarella told me. He also says Merhige is traveling with four weapons, two handguns and a .308 Remington Rifle, and one other unknown gun. The weapons have been located, and neither has the 2007 Blue Toyota Camry Merhige was last seen driving. Merhige does posses a concealed weapons permit, and investigators know the handguns were purchased weeks before the shooting, and the rifle was bought the day before. Just recently, throughout Miami, investigators canvassed new posters in Spanish and Creole throughout to the public. Sgt. Pascarella says, “We were surprised just how many people didn’t know about this case.” It’s going to take leg work like this to keep getting the word out. Right now, there are digital billboards in place as far north as Atlanta, Georgia, and throughout many main cities in Florida. Sgt. Pascarellea says a new billboard company just contacted them this week to offer some space on their billboards in other area.
It’s been three weeks today since the deadly Thanksgiving shooting that took the lives of four family members in Jupiter, FL. Investigators believe Paul Merhige is the one responsible for the murders, and he is charged him with four counts of first degree murder. I spoke with Sgt. Scott Pascarella this morning, and he says investigators from his region, including the United States Marshals and the FBI are all on board to tracking Merhige. They’ve received well over 180 tips, and 90% of those leads are exhausted. Authorities even searched the pond behind the house where the shooting took place three times looking for evidence. “We don’t want the fire to burn out,” Sgt. Pascarella told me. He also says Merhige is traveling with four weapons, two handguns and a .308 Remington Rifle, and one other unknown gun. None of the weapons have been located, and neither has the 2007 Blue Toyota Camry Merhige was last seen driving. Merhige does posses a concealed weapons permit, and investigators know the handguns were purchased weeks before the shooting, and the rifle was bought the day before. Just recently, throughout Miami, investigators canvassed new posters in Spanish and Creole throughout to the public. Sgt. Pascarella says, “We were surprised just how many people didn’t know about this case.” It’s going to take leg work like this to keep getting the word out. Right now, there are digital billboards in place as far north as Atlanta, Georgia, and throughout many main cities in Florida. Sgt. Pascarellea says a new billboard company just contacted them this week to offer some space on their billboards in other area.
The United States Marshals service recently announced their latest addition to their TOP 15 most wanted. Paul Michael Merhige is on this list for his alleged part in killing his family members after Thanksgiving dinner.
Paul Merhige Wanted
Paul Merhige is wanted for four counts of first degree murder. Authorities say, this horrific event played out Thanksgiving night just after dinner. Cops say invited guest, Paul Michael Merhige, 35, left the house, and came back at 10 p.m. with a handgun to kill. Some of the victims include his own innocent 6-year-old cousin who was sleeping in her bed at the time. Police say Merhige also allegedly shot and killed his twin 33-year-old sisters, and his 76-year-old aunt. Investigators have learned through a series of interviews that Merhige does have on-going resentment towards some of the family members, but no one can begin to understand why he would take the lives of these innocent victims.Police say 17 relatives were inside the residence when gunfire erupted. The youngest victim, Makayla Sitton was sound asleep in her bed when she was shot and killed. Makayla was the daughter of WPTV Journalist, Jim Sitton. Investigators say the other victims include Merhige’s own twin sisters, Carla Merhige, Lisa Knight, 33, and Raymonde Joseph, 79, Merhige’s aunt. Lisa was pregnant at the time she was killed. Authorities say two others were shot and wounded; Patrick Knight, Merhige’s brother-in-law, and Clifford Gebara, a cousin were taken to the hospital. Thankfully, both will survive their injuries.
Makalya Sitton will be remembered today at a public “Celebration of Life” service from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Jupiter High School, 500 N. Military Trail in Juputer. After today’s service, the family plans to have a private burial for their little girl.
Makalya’s life was taken on Thanksgiving evening when her cousin, alleged suspect Paul Merhige shot and killed her as she slept in her bed. Four others were murdered that evening, including Merhige’s twin 33-year-old sisters, Lisa and Carla, Lisa’s unborn child, and and Makayla’s 76-year-old grandmother. Two other family members were wounded, but thankfully will survive. Paul Merhige is still on the run. Please see the post below for all the details surrounding this case.
Family Statement:
In light of the tremendous outpouring of support from the community, the Sitton family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to two funds set up in Makayla Joy Sitton’s name. Jim and Muriel Sitton know that their precious daughter would want to make a difference in the lives of other little girls. She would want other children to be given the same access to the arts (music and ballet) that she enjoyed during her life.
Michelle Sigona is a crime fighting, victims advocate extraordinaire, but for Michelle -- the good fight doesn't stop there. In her spare time, she is a volunteer firefighter -- and now, she is tackling the issues and cases that mean the most to her....
