Grandson named person of interest in Ocala deaths

OCALA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Police have new leads in the deaths of two elderly Ocala residents.  Police said 81-year-old Robert Schwamberger and wife 77-year-old Ruth Schwamberger were killed in their home on NE 43rd Avenue in Ocala.  Their bodies were discovered early Sunday morning, during a well-being check. 

Authorities on Tuesday named Terrance Joseph Hurst, 32, the couple's grandson, as a person of interest in the case.  Hurst was already in custody in the Pinellas County Jail.

The Largo Police Department was notified by the OPD to be on the lookout for the couple's vehicle -- a blue Chevy four-door.  The vehicle was stopped on Monday afternoon and Hurst was arrested on a charge of driving with suspended or revoked license.  

"He was driving his grandparent's vehicle, and the vehicle has been recovered as well," said Sgt. Cynthia Barnes with the OPD. "Our detectives went to Largo.  They interviewed him and are interviewing any potential witnesses."

Desiree Warren said the news of her neighbors' deaths is devastating. "I  used to cut her hair, and we helped them and looked out for them, and it's just sad."  

A forensics team spent most of Monday and Tuesday working the crime scene.  Debris was removed from a swimming pool at the property, but few details were released by detectives.  

If you know anything about this double homicide, call Ocala Police at 352-369-7000 or call Detective S. McQuaig at 352-369-7029. You can also call CrimeStoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP (7867).