VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach Police Department has released more information regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of a 71-year-old man who authorities say was killed by his 45-year-old step-son.
The victim, Richard Lloyd, had a dog living with him at the time of the murder, according to a reader, who reached out to VeroNews.com inquiring about the dog’s welfare.
“As far as we know, the dog was dropped off by the suspect at a friend’s house and is doing fine,” said Police spokesperson Ofc. Anna Carden, in an email response to VeroNews.com.
VERO BEACH — One man is in the Indian River County Jail Thursday evening after the Vero Beach Police Department discovered a dead man in a home in the 3100 block of 13th Avenue earlier in the day.
According to authorities, the 71-year-old victim was the step-father of the accused murderer, who has been identified as Donald Crabtree, 45. The victim was Richard Lloyd.
The Vero Beach Police Department went to Lloyd’s home earlier in the day to perform a welfare check on the elderly man after receiving a phone call from a third party. That person told authorities that Crabtree confessed to him/her over the phone that he had killed his step-father a few days prior.
When authorities didn’t get a response at the door, they gained entry through a back door and saw what they reported as “clear signs of a struggle.” They then found Lloyd’s decomposing body in a bedroom and signs of numerous blunt force trauma to Lloyd’s head.
Crabtree was located at his mother’s home in Okeechobee County and he has since been brought to Indian River County.
Investigators with the Vero Beach Police Department traveled to Okeechobee County to interview Crabtree. During that interview, according to the prepared statement, Crabtree told investigators that he got into an argument over money with his step-father on Sunday during which he “snapped” and struck Lloyd multiple times with a hammer. Crabtree also said he dragged Lloyd’s body to a bedroom and continued to stay at the home for several days before he got a ride to his mother’s home in Okeechobee, the report states.
Vero Beach police arrested Crabtree and he has been transported back to Indian River County where he faces a first degree murder charge.
Oct. 9 3:40 p.m.
VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach Police Department is investigating a death in the area of 13th Avenue and 31st Street.
Police arrived at the home in the 3100 block of 13th Avenue shortly before 10:30 a.m. Thursday to perform a well-being check, according to Police spokesperson Ofc. Anna Carden.
Officers reported smelling a strong odor consistent with a deceased body and made entry into the home through the rear door, she said in a prepared statement.
Officers discovered the body of a white male. His identity has not been confirmed.
Police secured the home and are currently waiting for a search warrant from the State Attorney’s Office, according to Ofc. Carden.
The police are calling this a “death investigation” at this time.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.