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Florida police put up $51K reward for clues in ‘senseless’ murder of Toronto snowbirds

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Two months after the “horrific, senseless” slaying of a Toronto couple inside their Florida winter home, police remain baffled over who killed them and why.

In an effort to spur new leads, Hallandale Beach police held a news conference Wednesday alongside the victims’ family and friends, announcing a $51,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Police also revealed the cause of death, telling a throng of reporters that Donny Pichosky, 71, and Rochelle Wise, 66, died of asphyxiation.

Chief Dwayne Flournoy said at least two suspects were involved in the crime, and urged members of the public to come forward with any potentially pertinent details.

“We just need that one break, or that one piece to the puzzle, so that we can fill it all in,” Chief Flournoy said, noting police were continuing to sift through dozens of tips and a massive volume of forensic evidence. “The full weight of the criminal justice system will be brought to bear on this case and those involved.”

Google Streetview
Google StreetviewPolice are investigating the deaths of David Pichosky, 71, and Rochelle Wise, 66, as a double homicide.

Security camera footage identified a person of interest after the couple was found slain Jan. 10 in their townhouse in the community of Venetian Park, but police say tips have failed to shed more light on the woman, who was seen carrying an item to the back of the house before disappearing and returning empty-handed.

Police have no reason to believe the victims knew their attackers, Chief Flournoy said. The chief also dismissed a theory that the killer might have followed Mr. Pichosky back to the couple’s Hallandale Beach winter home after he won a windfall at a local casino, saying the victim was not a gambler.

“The more that we pull back the layers of this case and how senseless this case is and this homicide is, it angers me,” Chief Flournoy said. “[The victims] have no enemies. They were nice people. They were enjoying their retirement; they were enjoying their new marriage. The only thing they did was go to shows, go to eat. They were virtually always together. They went to temple; they loved their grandkids.”

Ms. Wise’s son, Jamie Wise, on Wednesday described the victims as “very caring people.” His mother was a camp director and school principal who loved children, he said.

“She had worked hard her whole life and finally found love and was just starting to taste some of the benefits of hard work,” Mr. Wise said. “[It] was just so the wrong time, that she was starting to get a moment to enjoy herself and her life with Donny… She’ll be missed on a level you can’t imagine by people she knew, by her family, by her friends, by her community.”

The couple were married four years after being set up on a date in Toronto, Mr. Wise said, urging anyone with information in the case to come forward.

YouTube
YouTubeScreengrabs from security video shows a woman arriving and departing from the area around the home of Canadians David Pichosky and Rochelle Wise, who were found dead in their Hallandale Beach, Florida home on January 9, 2013.

Friend Pearl Gladman echoed that plea, noting it was devastating that Ms. Wise and Mr. Pichosky died in Florida, their winter retreat and one of their favourite places.

“[Ms. Wise] always had a kind word to say about everyone, and for me it’s a tremendous loss because she’s the sister I never had,” Ms. Gladman said.

Chief Flournoy said he was confident police would ultimately solve the crime, though he acknowledged it may take some time.

“It may not be tomorrow, it may not be a month,” he said, “but you know, I may be sitting home retired in 10 years, 15, 20 years — this case is going to be solved, trust me.”

National Post

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