Watch CBS News

Suspects Allegedly Confess To Deerfield Beach Double Murder

DEERFIELD BEACH (CBSMiami) – The Broward Sheriff's Office has made two arrests in connection with the double murder of an elderly couple earlier this week in Deerfield Beach, and both suspects have allegedly confessed to the crimes.

BSO said the suspected killers are Rosario Melici, 60, and Michael Marotta, 38. Melici was taken into custody in Lake Worth without incident around 3:30 p.m. Thursday. The men faces two counts of first degree murder.

The couple was "targeted" by someone who knew them, according to Broward Sheriff Scott Israel.

"I can tell you it was not a random act of violence, this heinous and reprehensible crime," said Sheriff Israel."The Russo's were targeted."

The bodies of 88-year-old Phil Russo and his 78-year-old wife Barbara were found by their daughter in their Deerfield Beach Condo in the Deer Creek Country Club on Monday.

According to the probable cause report, "both victims appeared to be bound and had items over their heads and mouths. One of the items found on both victims' bodies was 'blue painter's tape.' Due to the large amount of blood around each victim's body, it appeared that they had been shot or stabbed."

The Broward County Medical Examiner's Office determined that both victims had been stabbed to death.

russofamily
Barbara & Phil Russo (Source: Patricia Williams)

BSO said that Melici came to the Russo's apartment unannounced a few days before the murder and "offered to paint the victims' apartment for free."

Williams told BSO that "Melici had a violent criminal past and had been in jail in the past for murder."

When detectives caught up with Melici in Lake Worth, he said he knew both victims, but deniedh e had seen them in "at least a month." Detectives traced Melici's phone and found it was using a Deerfield Beach tower at the time of the murder.

BSO said Melici admitted to taking part in the murder and robbery of both victims and that he was with Marotta during the crimes.

Marotta also admitted post-Miranda that he was involved with the crimes as well.

Friends and neighbors at the Deer Creek Country Club Condos were stunned over the couple's death and very uneasy because investigators suspected foul play.

"These things upset me," said friend Evelyn Appelbaum, adding, "especially when you hear it could be a homicide. I mean who, why? I can't understand that kind of anger."

Both suspects remain in the Broward County Jail.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.