Florida Elected Official, Husband Fatally Stabbed in Home in Random Attack

Florida police say they came upon a horrific scene when they went to check on the welfare of a former local elected official and her husband.

Edith and David Henderson were found stabbed to death in their home, which had been ransacked, Lakeland police said. They were killed Tuesday morning.

“The crime scene as you can imaging was absolutely horrific,” Chief of Detectives Sam Taylor said at a news conference Thursday to announce the arrest of Marcelle Waldon, 36, in the case.

Marcelle Waldon and Edith Henderson

Taylor said the investigation led to Waldon’s arrest Wednesday night at a Lakeland motel where was staying. He is facing 10 felony counts, including murder.

The chief said Waldon has a long rap sheet and served time in prison on a burglary rap. He was released in 2016.

Edith Henderson, 67, had been a member of the Lakeland City Commission from 2006 to 2018, having been elected to serve three four-year terms.

Taylor said she was killed while her 63-year-old husband was out getting breakfast.

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