HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man and charged him with the murder of his mother after a death investigation on Tuesday night.
On Tuesday, just after 7 p.m., deputies responded to a home on the 16000 block of Colwood Drive to do a welfare check on Joanne Turrell, 78.
When deputies arrived, they found Turrell deceased and covered with a blanket. Her adult son, Douglas Turrell, 53, who also lives in the home, was located in a locked bedroom with a firearm near him.
Read: Amber Alert Issued In Florida For Kidnapped 8-Month-Old Amelia Martinez
Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined Joanne Turrell had been shot and killed. Detectives have arrested and charged Douglas Turrell with murder in the second degree.
“Our heart breaks for the friends and family of this woman whose life was not only tragically ended but done so at the hands of her son,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Joanne Turrell was celebrating her 78th birthday. A time that should have been filled with joy and beautiful memories. Instead, we are now trying to piece together what resulted in it ending in such heartbreak.”
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.