A Coachella Valley couple was discovered dead in their home in what may be connected to a scam by someone impersonating actor Tom Selleck. Donald Whitaker, 80, and his 79-year-old wife, Karen Whitaker, were found by Riverside County sheriff’s deputies during a welfare check.
The couple lived in the exclusive Bermuda Dunes community, located east of Palm Desert. Authorities discovered they had experienced traumatic injuries and declared them dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing, with no updates yet from Riverside County officials.
According to reports from Coachella Valley ABC affiliate KESQ, the Whitakers might have been victims of a scam involving someone pretending to be actor Tom Selleck, known for his role in CBS’s “Blue Bloods.” Family friend Joy Miedecke shared that Karen Whitaker was targeted after posting a memorial for a friend on Facebook.
Miedecke, president of the East Valley Republican Women Patriots, explained how the scam began. The impersonator contacted Karen, claiming to be Tom Selleck, and asserted they shared a mutual acquaintance. “They found her phone number and texted her, claiming to have known this girl,” Miedecke stated.
Initially, Whitaker sent money through gift cards, starting with $80 and later increasing to amounts like $800. Concerned, Miedecke informed authorities about the possible fraud. In response, the Whitakers’ family intervened, destroying credit cards and restricting access to Karen’s bank accounts.
Despite efforts to convince her of the scam, including a message from someone close to Tom Selleck affirming that the actor was not involved, Karen was unable to stop believing in the scam. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has not issued a statement on these claims.