FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — Fort Pierce police formally charged the son of an elderly Harbour Isle couple with first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, according to a newly released warrant affidavit that says he was seen leaving the condominium just before officers discovered the couple shot inside. Philip Repaci Jr., 55, is accused of two counts of premeditated first-degree murder in the Feb. 24 killings of Joann Repaci and Philip Repaci at 6 Harbour Isle Drive East in Fort Pierce.
On Monday, the Fort Pierce Police Department charged 56-year-old Philip Repaci with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm, while he was already being held at the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office jail on local charges. FPPD announced the charges in an update released Tuesday.
The affidavit says officers were sent to the condo for a welfare check after the couple stopped answering their cellphones, which relatives said was unusual. Before officers entered, Officer Miklosh saw a man later identified as Repaci Jr. walking toward a white Lexus SUV near the unit. The affidavit says that when he noticed the officer, he turned around, got into the SUV and drove away. A Harbour Isle maintenance worker also told investigators he had just seen a man come out of the unit claiming to be the owner and leaving with a cart full of items.
When officers entered the condo with a maintenance key, they found the elderly couple dead inside, according to the affidavit. Investigators wrote that the victims were on the ground with blood around their bodies, and that Philip Repaci had suffered a gunshot wound. The warrant says a neighbor later reported hearing loud bangs between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. that may have been gunshots.
Police thanked the community and IRCSO for their assistance during what investigators described as a complex case. The police department said the investigation remains active.
During the welfare check at the Harbour Isle at Hutchinson Island condominium complex, officers were dispatched around 12:30 p.m. after a family member contacted police, saying the couple had missed an appointment and could not be reached. When officers arrived at the residence, they found an elderly man and woman dead in the living room area with apparent multiple gunshot wounds.
Police later identified the victims as 85-year-old Philip Repaci and 80-year-old Joan Repaci, both Fort Pierce residents. Investigators said their adult son had left the scene before officers arrived.
A be-on-the-lookout alert was issued for the son’s vehicle, which was later located by Indian River County deputies. According to earlier reporting, deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, and the driver was taken into custody after allegedly fleeing the area. At the time, Philip Repaci, then 55, was detained on fleeing and eluding charges and named a person of interest in the homicide investigation.
Police previously stated the deaths were suspicious but emphasized the incident was isolated, with no ongoing threat to the public.
On March 30, Fort Pierce police confirmed they had obtained warrants charging Repaci with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm, marking the first time homicide charges were formally filed in the case.
The affidavit says detectives later tried to interview Repaci Jr. at the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, but he declined to speak after being advised of his rights. Investigators noted he was wearing the same clothing seen on body camera and security footage from the gated community earlier that day.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Fort Pierce Police Department at 772-467-6800 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-277-8477. Tips may also be submitted anonymously at www.tccrimestoppers.org.