Barbara Pettit Walters, a 74-year-old white female, passed away on October 14, 2020, in Tallahassee, Florida. Born on January 28, 1946, in Bound Brook, New Jersey, Barbara was the daughter of Harvey and Mary Pettit. She was a longtime resident of Ormond Beach, Florida, and was known for her active involvement in her church and community. Barbara graduated from Charles F. Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio, and later attended Michigan State University.
She was married to Gary Walters, who predeceased her. Barbara was a mother to Steven and Jason Walters, and a grandmother to Sydney and Gabrielle.
The circumstances surrounding Barbara Pettit Walters' death were tragic and shocking. On October 14, 2020, Barbara and her son, Jason Matthew Walters, a 43-year-old white male, were found dead in his rented house at Braemore Park off Thomasville Road in Tallahassee. The Tallahassee Police Department responded to a welfare check call and discovered their bodies. The initial investigation suggested that Jason, a prominent local attorney, had shot and killed his mother before ending his own life in what appeared to be a murder-suicide.
The investigation into their deaths was described as open and active, with the police waiting for results from autopsies and other forensic evidence. Deputy Chief Jason Laursen of the Tallahassee Police Department confirmed that all evidence pointed to a murder-suicide, but the final determination was pending further investigation. The police collected various types of evidence, including electronic media, phones, and computers, to verify the case details.
Neighbors in the upscale "pocket park" condo community where the incident occurred reported seeing numerous police officers and forensic investigators at the scene. The police canvassed the area, asking residents if they had seen or heard anything unusual, including gunshots. Despite the tragic nature of the case, the police assured the community that there was no cause for concern regarding an outside entity being involved.
Barbara Pettit Walters was remembered for her love of travel, her participation in her church's youth group, and her involvement in her Monday night bridge club. Her death, along with that of her son, left a profound impact on her family, friends, and community. The investigation into their deaths continued as the police worked to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident.
