Robyn Turnage, a 57-year-old white woman, tragically lost her life on October 22, 2010, in what authorities determined to be a violent home invasion and robbery. She was discovered strangled alongside her husband, Leamon Turnage, a 69-year-old white man, at their residence on West 142nd Street in Hawthorne, California. The couple's deaths were uncovered during a welfare check conducted by Hawthorne police officers after family members, unable to reach them for several days, raised concerns.
The Los Angeles County coroner's records confirmed the cause of death as strangulation.
The investigation into the Turnages' deaths quickly led to the arrest of John Wesley Ewell, a 53-year-old Black man, who was apprehended on suspicion of their murders. Authorities described a 'mountain of evidence' connecting Ewell to the crime, including surveillance footage showing him attempting to use the couple's stolen ATM cards. Ewell allegedly posed as a utility repairman to gain access to the Turnages' home, where he carried out the brutal attack. He was also linked to another home invasion robbery in the same area that resulted in the death of Hanna Morcos, an 80-year-old Middle Eastern man, just weeks prior.
Ewell's arrest brought some relief to the grieving community, but the shock and sorrow over the Turnages' deaths lingered. The couple, described as kind-hearted and deeply involved in their church community, had recently returned from a trip to Florida, where they met their new grandchild for the first time. Their loss was deeply felt by family, friends, and their congregation, who remembered them as a loving and devoted couple.
The legal proceedings against Ewell began shortly after his arrest, with his bail set at $1 million. His next court appearance was scheduled for November 3, 2010, at the LAX Municipal Court. The case highlighted the devastating impact of violent crime and the importance of community vigilance in seeking justice for victims like Robyn and Leamon Turnage.
