A woman from Coachella Valley, discovered dead alongside her husband, may have been scammed by someone impersonating actor Tom Selleck. Reports indicate this scam persisted for a prolonged period.
Donald Whitaker, 80, and his wife, Karen Whitaker, 79, were found in their Bermuda Dunes home by Riverside County sheriff’s deputies. A neighbor’s wellness check call prompted the discovery. Investigators found traumatic injuries, declaring the couple deceased at the scene. The investigation continues with no updates from officials.
The connection between the alleged scam and the couple’s deaths is unclear. Reports from KESQ, a Coachella Valley ABC affiliate, reveal a family friend, Joy Miedecke, mentioned a mysterious person claiming to be Selleck. Contact with Karen Whitaker began after her Facebook memorial post about a school friend. The fraudster texted her, identifying themselves as Selleck and claiming to have shared acquaintances.
Miedecke, president of the East Valley Republican Women Patriots, shared that the scammer gained Karen’s trust through these messages. Karen then began sending money through gift cards, starting at $80 and eventually reaching $800.
Family members acted to stop the scam by destroying credit cards and restricting her bank access. Despite efforts, including speaking with someone associated with the real Tom Selleck, Karen’s belief in the impostor persisted. Miedecke alerted authorities about the potential fraud, although the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department did not offer comments on the claims.