Leamon Carrol Turnage, a 69-year-old white man, was found strangled in his home in Hawthorne, California, on October 22, 2010. His wife, Robyn Turnage, a 57-year-old white woman, was also discovered dead alongside him. The couple had been unreachable for several days, prompting concerned family members to request a welfare check, which led to the grim discovery.
Authorities suspected that the Turnages were victims of a home invasion robbery.
A day after the bodies were found, law enforcement arrested John Wesley Ewell, a 53-year-old black man, on suspicion of murdering the couple. Investigators uncovered substantial evidence linking Ewell to the crime, including indications that he may have also been involved in a separate home-invasion robbery that resulted in the death of 80-year-old Hanna Morcos. Morcos, a Middle Eastern man, was found face down in his apartment with blunt head trauma. Ewell was held on a $1-million bail, and his next court appearance was scheduled for November 3, 2010.
Ewell had a lengthy criminal history, including prior convictions for robbery and burglary. He had previously advocated against California's 'three-strikes' law, appearing on a television program to express concerns about the severity of sentencing for repeat offenders. However, his criminal activities escalated, culminating in a series of violent home invasions that left multiple victims dead. Posing as a utility worker, Ewell gained access to the Turnages' home, bound them, and strangled them before stealing valuables. His actions were part of a broader pattern of crimes committed over a two-month period in 2010.
The Turnages were well-regarded in their community and church, known for their kindness and generosity. Their deaths shocked and saddened those who knew them, including members of their congregation. The investigation into their murder led to Ewell's arrest after authorities reviewed surveillance footage showing someone attempting to use the couple's stolen ATM cards. This critical piece of evidence helped law enforcement track Ewell down and build a case against him.
Ewell was ultimately convicted of four counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His crimes left a lasting impact on the victims' families and the community, highlighting the devastating consequences of violent home invasions.
