The bodies of a Canadian couple have been found inside their Florida townhouse in what police are calling a double homicide.
Hallandale, Fla. police said the bodies of David Pichosky, 71, and Rochelle Wise, 66, were discovered by a neighbour Thursday evening.
Police said the neighbour went to check on the couple after they didn’t attend a lunch on Wednesday and repeated phone calls to their home went unanswered.
“We have few details on how they were killed, but this is definitely a double homicide,” Hallandale Beach police spokeswoman Capt. Sonia Quinones told The Miami Herald.
The Toronto couple was known to spend their winters in the eastern Florida beach community, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Bialik Hebrew Day School in Toronto said Wise used to teach there. She was also the founding director of the Crestwood Valley Day Camp, where she worked until her retirement in 2005.
“The entire Bialik family is distraught by the tragic loss of Rochelle Wise and her beloved husband Donny Pichosky,” the school said in a statement Friday. “Rochelle was an adored member of the community and respected as an outstanding educator and woman of great character and kind spirit.”
The directors of the Crestwood Valley Day Camp also issued a statement, saying Wise was dedicated to “every child and staff member in her care.”
“With limitless energy, unwavering courage and a passion for children she was an inspiration to a generation kids, an example to day camp Directors across Toronto, and an amazing friend to those of us at Crestwood Valley,” the statement said.
Local reporter Julia Bagg told CTV’s Canada AM on Friday that the murders have shocked residents in the gated community.
“Police are hoping perhaps some surveillance video may show some sort of vehicle come in to help solve this case,” said Bagg.
She said police have been “tight-lipped” about the investigation and have not released any details about a motive or suspect.
“People who live here tell us this community is a very peaceful community,” Bagg said. “Nothing happens here and neighbours are very shaken up about this double murder.”
