Local handyman charged in double murder of elderly Martin County couple

Yesterday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office in Stuart, Florida, reported making an arrest in the brutal double murder of Donald and Lorraine Smith of Rocky Point.  Both in their 80s, the bodies of the elderly couple were found beaten to death inside their home on SE Hull Street back on August 28th.  Police made the gruesome discovery two days after their murders.

The Sheriff’s Department, along with the State Attorney’s Office, began interviewing their murder suspect late yesterday afternoon.

At a press conference held last night, Sheriff William Snyder said that 55-year old John Manord of Stuart has been charged with two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of 81-year old Donald Smith and his 80-year old wife Lorraine. Manord was initially taken into custody on separate domestic battery and cocaine charges, according to WPBF.

Late yesterday afternoon, in exchange for a plea deal, Manord provided a full confession to the State Attorney’s Office and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

According to officials, Manord had been a prime suspect in the murder of the Smiths since their lifeless and battered bodies were discovered on August 28th. Detectives arrested him on unrelated domestic battery and cocaine charges the next day.  Manord has been in custody since.

Finally, yesterday, Manord confessed to killing the couple.

He told investigators he needed money and intended on robbing the Smiths. Detectives were able to locate security camera footage of Manord walking to the Smith’s home on Wednesday, August 26th, the day Manord said he walked into the Smith’s home through an open garage door and attacked and killed the couple.

Manord said he hid in bushes near the Smith’s home for almost two hours waiting for Donald to arrive home. Once he arrived, Manord carried out the attack. Both Lorraine and Donald died of blunt force and sharp force trauma.

WPEC in West Palm Beach reported Snyder as saying that after Manord slipped into the couple’s home, he demanded money from Lorraine Smith.  After she refused,

… Manord grabbed an extremely heavy glass bowl and smashed her over the head with it. Don Smith came out of the shower after hearing the commotion. When he came out, Manord smashed him over the head with the same bowl.

Snyder says Manord then slit their throats with a knife from the kitchen.

Manord fled the scene with about $700 in cash and the Smith’s vehicle, which was later found near Manord’s girlfriend’s home in Stuart, according to WPTV.  He allegedly used that cash on crack cocaine and rent.

Manord worked for the Smith’s and other residents in the same neighborhood on and off for about four years.  He knew the couple well. The Smiths frequently assisted him when he needed help.  Manord was also well known throughout the community and was largely regarded as a ‘very good handyman.”

One of those neighbors, Sandra Cramer, who was also a friend of the Smiths, said that Manord worked “for all of us.”

“He worked for me. I had him in here several times and he would do anything. He was a very good handyman. He could do anything.”  ~ WPBF

Johnny Manord was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated burglary.  In a plea deal made last night, Manord will be serving three consecutive life sentences behind bar in exchange for his confession.

The Martin County State Attorney said he expects Manord to die in prison since the 55-year-old is not in good health, according to WPBF.

For more on the story, see the video accompanying this article.

Also see our original report: 
Elderly couple found murdered inside their Martin County home

(Cover photo, Johnny Manord mugshot, Image credit: Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
(Source: Martin County Sheriff’s Office)

~  Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter