BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Victims of Yuma double murder identified
Suspect to be formally charged Thursday
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - New details on the double murder that happened on Magnolia Avenue in Yuma. Police have revealed the relationship between the two victims. The crime scene was still active more than 24 hours after police responded to the home Tuesday morning.
Police received a call of a man threatening to kill himself. They arrived to find the bodies of a mother and son now identified as 25-year old Tamacia Wilder and two-year-old Roy Wilder.
Police also confirmed the cause of death appears to be severe blunt force trauma.
RELATED: Suicide call leads to discovery of bodies
One neighbor says he's surprised.
"We were at work. We didn’t hear nothing. It was pretty weird. Yeah, it’s pretty quiet. No nobody fights around here. It’s just a pretty calm neighborhood," says resident Cesar Magallanes.
The suspect, 28-year-old Trevon Wilhite, is a former Marine and was arrested on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Yuma police say the mother and Wilhite knew each other, but again her son was not related to the suspect. Those who knew the victims took to social media with their grief.
One saying they’ve known the mother for over 20 years and that she was "a beautiful young lady inside and out.' Another saying 'you killed one of my childhood friends and her son.'
The Public Affairs Office at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma confirms Wilhite was stationed on the base about two-years ago. MCAS Yuma has declined to offer any further comment on the case.
YPD says more information will be released soon. The investigation is understandably ongoing. Wilhite will be in court to be formally charged Thursday afternoon.
KYMA.com, News 11, and 13 On Your Side will be in the courtroom Thursday for Wilhite's arraignment. Stay with us for continuing coverage of this developing story.
