2 found dead in Ocala home

Deaths ruled double-homicide, police say

OCALA, Fla. – Two people were found dead Sunday inside an Ocala home in what police say is a double-homicide.

The bodies were discovered around 8:10 a.m. in the 500 block of NE 43rd Avenue.

An Ocala Police Department Major at the scene identified the bodies as Robert and Ruth Schwamberger.

"We would watch out for them and help them out when they were ill," said a neighbor who only wanted to be identified as Karen. "They did not deserve this."

According to Ocala police, officers were conducting a well-being check when they found the bodies.

Karen said her husband is the one who called police after he hadn't seen or heard from the couple and checked on them.

An investigation led police to rule the deaths as a double-homicide.

"The investigation is ongoing," said Sgt. Cynthia Barnes. "And because it is ongoing we do want to find whoever is responsible for this as soon as possible because it's been upgraded to a well being check to a double homicide."

Karen said occasionally family members and friend would visit the older couple. Karen suspects one of those visitors is involved in the couple's murder.

"I believe, and it's only a belief, they knew 'em," said Karen. "If somebody was visiting them and murdered them, or just came in and murdered them, it's not right. It's just not right."

Police said the investigation is continuing and anyone with information about the deaths is asked to call the Ocala Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP.


About the Author:

Erik von Ancken anchors and reports for News 6 and is a two-time Emmy award-winning journalist in the prestigious and coveted "On-Camera Talent" categories for both anchoring and reporting.