California woman dead in murder-suicide may have given thousands to a scammer claiming to be Tom Selleck

U.S. newsCalifornia woman dead in murder-suicide may have given thousands to a scammer claiming to be Tom Selleck Donald Whitaker, 80, and his wife, Karen Whitaker, 79, were discovered in their home on May 15 following a request for a welfare check.Donald and Karen Whitaker.via NBC Palm SpringsShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 22, 2026, 7:17 PM EDTBy Minyvonne BurkeAn elderly California couple found dead in a suspected murder-suicide had recently been scammed by someone posing as actor Tom Selleck, a longtime friend said.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Donald Whitaker, 80, and his wife, Karen Whitaker, 79, were found dead May 15 in their Bermuda Dunes home after someone requested a welfare check, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. They both had traumatic injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. On Thursday, the sheriff’s office said that Karen had been a victim of financial elder abuse and that officials believe the couple died in a murder-suicide. Authorities said there is no evidence that the unknown scammer or scammers were involved in the deaths, but that the incident remains under investigation. Selleck is not accused of any wrongdoing or involvement. Joy Miedecke, 81, a friend, said she met Karen through the East Valley Republican Women Patriots club and had known the couple for more than a decade. She said a neighbor requested a welfare check when Karen failed to show up for a Friday morning card game.Miedecke said the alleged scam began a year ago after Karen posted memories of a high school friend who had died. Days later, someone messaged Karen to let her know that they, too, knew the friend. “Somebody got a hold of her on Facebook and said they were Tom Selleck, and that they had dated this girl years ago,” Miedecke said Friday. Miedecke said Karen shared her phone number with that person, thinking they had something in common. As the pair tex...