ODESSA, Fla. — A man was arrested and charged with the murder of his elderly mother in their Odessa home on Colwood Drive, deputies said.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said on Tuesday around 7:00 p.m., a neighbor called deputies after she found Joanne Turrell, 78, dead while checking on her at the request of Joanne's daughter.
When deputies arrived, they said they found Joanne dead and covered with a blanket. Investigators said her son, Douglas Turrell, 53, was located in a locked bedroom with a gun near him.
The Sheriff's Office said Douglas lived with Joanne in the home.
During an investigation, HCSO said detectives determined Joanne had been shot and killed. Douglas was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
“Our heart breaks for the friends and family of this woman whose life was not only tragically ended but done so at the hands of her son,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Joanne Turrell was celebrating her 78th birthday. A time that should have been filled with joy and beautiful memories. Instead, we are now trying to piece together what resulted in it ending in such heartbreak.”
People who live in the neighborhood were shocked by the news. Ellen Henderson said she had just seen Joanne on Monday.
“I was shocked," said Henderson. "I thought maybe she fell, but when I saw the forensic sheriff's cars, I knew it was more than just her falling.”
People who knew Joanne said she was a wonderful person. John Mulvihill lives right next door.
“Any time anybody dies like that, you feel bad," said Mulvihill. "Joanne was a nice person.”
