GUILTY FL - Three women, 6yo girl shot to death at Jupiter Thanksgiving dinner, 26 Nov 2009

[justbeachy]

Just wanted to post and let everyone know that they have caught Paul Michael Mehrige. The murders occured local to me so this has been a big story around here - especially considering the father of 6 year old Makayla is a photo journalist on my local news. Breaking News says he was caught at the Edgewater motel in Long Key, FL down in the FL Keys around mile marker 60 something.

Just wanted to pass on this awesome news that this awful piece of garbage is caught and off the streets. Now he can pay for what he did.

Oh my gosh!! What a relief for the family! Did this just happen...I mean, after the AMW segment? I googled it and I didn't see any news reports of his capture yet.

Just found this so it really is "breaking news" -- thanks for the quick update!

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/t...ge-has-been-159867.html?cxntcid=breaking_news

 

[tntsparty]

Yes it is just breaking news - they started off the 11 oclock news with this breaking news and that is the only thing that has been on since it started 25 mins ago - awesome awesome news - I am so happy for this family that this has been caught.

 

[Wise Old Owl]

I'm in SoFla and yes, I can confirm that this is breaking news here as well. Seems he was caught about 45 minutes after the AMW segment aired.

There is said to be a press conference scheduled for 11:45 PM tonight. Also saying it is not known if he turned himself in or was apprehended. I kinda doubt he turned himself in though but that is JMO.

 

[Tizzle]

Just wanted to post and let everyone know that they have caught Paul Michael Mehrige. The murders occured local to me so this has been a big story around here - especially considering the father of 6 year old Makayla is a photo journalist on my local news. Breaking News says he was caught at the Edgewater motel in Long Key, FL down in the FL Keys around mile marker 60 something.

Just wanted to pass on this awesome news that this awful piece of garbage is caught and off the streets. Now he can pay for what he did.

This is awesome news! Thank you so much for updating us so quickly!

As we watched AMW tonite, I cried for this family's terrible loss. The pictures and movies of sweet Makayla were so touching. It was a very good segment. I said to my husband as it ended, "I can't wait for this animal to be brought to justice." I got my wish! I was so worried that he had left the country. Congratulations John Walsh and AMW!!! Job well done, as usual.

 

[Tizzle]

Does anyone know where I can find a live feed of the press conference at 11:45?

 

[daisy7]

CBS4 Investigative reporter Jim DeFede says he has learned from law enforcement sources in the Keys that Paul Michael Merhige, wanted in the murder of 4 relatives Thanksgiving day, has been taken into custody at a motel in Long Key. Gio Benitez is in the Keys and we will have the latest details online and on CBS4 News, now on the air.

http://cbs4.com/

They have a live webcast - maybe they'll cover the PC?

 

[jjenny]

This is awesome news! Thank you so much for updating us so quickly!

As we watched AMW tonite, I cried for this family's terrible loss. The pictures and movies of sweet Makayla were so touching. It was a very good segment. I said to my husband as it ended, "I can't wait for this animal to be brought to justice." I got my wish! I was so worried that he had left the country. Congratulations John Walsh and AMW!!! Job well done, as usual.

I watched AMW too. It's incredibly sad that someone would kill a young child for no reason whatsoever.

 

[daisy7]

Sources tell DeFede Merhige was located after a tip was called into the tip line set up by investigators, saying the blue Toyota Merhige was driving may have been spotted. DeFede was told the arrest was made by the US Marshall's Office, and that Merhige offered no resistance.

(snipped)

http://cbs4.com/local/merhige.arrest.mass.2.1402160.html

 

[JoeFromLB]

CBS4 Investigative reporter Jim DeFede says he has learned from law enforcement sources in the Keys that Paul Michael Merhige, wanted in the murder of 4 relatives Thanksgiving day, has been taken into custody at a motel in Long Key. Gio Benitez is in the Keys and we will have the latest details online and on CBS4 News, now on the air.

http://cbs4.com/

They have a live webcast - maybe they'll cover the PC?

Wonderful news!

I just saw the segment on AMW and came over here to find out the manhunt is finally over. I hope justice will be swift and certain.

 

[Searchfortruth]

Thank God.

Thanksgiving Day Murder Suspect Arrested In Florida

http://www.wftv.com/news/22111699/detail.html

 

[Tizzle]

Viewer tip leads to arrest in Thanksgiving slayings

(CNN) -- A tip from a television viewer led to the arrest of a Florida man accused of gunning down four of his family members on Thanksgiving Day, authorities said early Sunday.

Paul Michael Merhige, 35, was arrested in Monroe County by U.S. Marshals Saturday night, said sheriff's spokeswoman Becky Herrin.

A viewer of the show "America's Most Wanted" recognized descriptions of Merhige and his car, authorities said at a news conference early Sunday. Officers immediately responded to the tip, surrounding a small motel in the Middle Keys, part of the Florida Keys.

The "America's Most Wanted" tipster told authorities that Merhige had checked into the motel under the name John Baca and provided an address in Homestead, Florida, according to a news release from police in Jupiter, Florida.

Merhige, who had apparently been at the Monroe County motel since December 2, did not resist apprehension by U.S. marshals, authorities said. It was not immediately clear whether he was armed at the time of his arrest, which occurred more than 200 miles from Jupiter, Florida.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/02/florida.shooting.arrest/

 

[mitzi]

So glad they caught this ! Way to go AMW! Amazing that the tip came in so quickly and he was arrested so fast. Hope they throw him in general population.

 

[Patty G]

This is wonderful news. Kudos to AMW for airing the segment last night and to the tipster leading to his capture.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Thank God for AMW! So glad that this monster is in custody.

 

[panthera]

Thank God.

Thanksgiving Day Murder Suspect Arrested In Florida

http://www.wftv.com/news/22111699/detail.html

I knew there was a reason I came here today! Thank God he was finally apprehended, and a special "thank you" to AMW for airing the episode about him which led to his arrest!! :woohoo::woohoo:

 

[panthera]

This is wonderful news. Kudos to AMW for airing the segment last night and to the tipster leading to his capture.

It's just too bad the motel owner hadn't been following the case earlier as he'd been there since Dec. 2 and had the same car there. Another suspicious thing was him covering the car up with a tarp, imo. He'd also switched the license with another car he'd owned though. At least now he's off the streets and being held without bond. :behindbar

http://www.miamiherald.com/459/story/1407357.html?storylink=omni_popular

 

[Tizzle]

Wow, thank you, Panthera. Paul Pfaff and Melinda Stewart are HEROES!! Can you imagine how scary that must have been for them? Thankfully, the police were able to apprehend this monster without incident and before he could hurt more innocent people. Great Job, Walsh & AMW, Paul and Melinda!

I'm also grateful that this family can finally grieve their terrible losses properly without having to look over their shoulder's in fear for their own lives, finally no more police cruisers have to be parked out front. A better start to a difficult New Year for them than if he were still out there. They're all in my prayers. They can rest, at least a little, more easy now. Makayla touched my life, just like her mom, Muriel, said was God's destiny for her, to touch the lives of others.

 

[panthera]

Wow, thank you, Panthera. Paul Pfaff and Melinda Stewart are HEROES!! Can you imagine how scary that must have been for them? Thankfully, the police were able to apprehend this monster without incident and before he could hurt more innocent people. Great Job, Walsh & AMW, Paul and Melinda!

I'm also grateful that this family can finally grieve their terrible losses properly without having to look over their shoulder's in fear for their own lives, finally no more police cruisers have to be parked out front. A better start to a difficult New Year for them than if he were still out there. They're all in my prayers. They can rest, at least a little, more easy now. Makayla touched my life, just like her mom, Muriel, said was God's destiny for her, to touch the lives of others.

Yes, thankfully they recognized him and called. They'll also probably get the reward money. While I'm not taking anything away from the motel owners calling after the AMW preview, the whole scenario should've raised suspicion. Don't they ask for a driver's license or photo ID, especially with somebody staying there that long? They did admit that he stayed in the room a lot and even had to do a welfare check on him to make sure he was ok. And like I mentioned before, covering up the car. I think I would've been suspicious long before last night. MOO

 

[Tizzle]

Yes, thankfully they recognized him and called. They'll also probably get the reward money. While I'm not taking anything away from the motel owners calling after the AMW preview, the whole scenario should've raised suspicion. Don't they ask for a driver's license or photo ID, especially with somebody staying there that long? They did admit that he stayed in the room a lot and even had to do a welfare check on him to make sure he was ok. And like I mentioned before, covering up the car. I think I would've been suspicious long before last night. MOO

Oh, yes. I feel the same way you do, panthera. Like you, I do wish they had noticed something wasn't right, sooner. I, too, would have been suspicious. I wonder why they didn't know about Paul before last night? Maybe fliers should have been distributed throughout FL sooner. Maybe they aren't the type to pay attention to this type of stuff and just leave their "guests" to themselves. They may not be regular AMW watchers, maybe they will be from now on. It sounds like they just happened to catch a snippet about the case from an AMW preview that ran earlier in the day. Luckily they were watching when they were.

I'm just glad they did finally put "2 & 2 together" and that he is finally captured and unable to hurt anyone else or himself. I want this one to have to face his charges. I'm relieved that he didn't harm anyone else while he was on the loose, also.

 

[jjenny]

It's just too bad the motel owner hadn't been following the case earlier as he'd been there since Dec. 2 and had the same car there. Another suspicious thing was him covering the car up with a tarp, imo. He'd also switched the license with another car he'd owned though. At least now he's off the streets and being held without bond. :behindbar

http://www.miamiherald.com/459/story/1407357.html?storylink=omni_popular

A lot of people didn't follow the case earlier. For instance, I had no idea what the guy looked like.
That's why AMW works.