Posts Tagged ‘thanksgiving murder’

Manhunt for Paul Merhige

Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Paul Merhige (photo updated Oct. 2009)

Paul Merhige (photo updated Oct. 2009)

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. 

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In memory of Makayla Joy Sitton..

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
Remembering Makayla

Remembering Makayla

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.

Donations can be made to the following:

Florida Classical Ballet Theatre
Makayla Sitton Scholarhip
10357 Ironwood Road
Palm Beach Gardens, Fl 3410

Jupiter Academy of Music
Makayla Sitton Fund
500 Commerce Way West, Suite 9
Jupiter, Fl 33458
Send cards to the Sitton Family Church (Please do not send flowers until a date has been set for memorial services):

Calvary Chapel of Palm City
1633 SW 34th St.
Palm City, FL 34990
(772)-283-9426

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