A convicted felon with a history of violent offenses remains on the loose after allegedly torturing and murdering an elderly Queens couple in their own home during a daylight home invasion that has left an entire community paralyzed with fear.
See the video further down this report.
Story Highlights
- Frank and Maureen Olton, both in their 70s, were killed in their Bellerose home after letting a stranger charge his phone.
- Suspect Jamal McGriff, a convicted felon, allegedly tied up and stabbed the husband before severely burning the wife and setting their house on fire.
- The brutal crime occurred in broad daylight in a quiet neighborhood where the couple had lived peacefully for over 40 years.
- NYPD has launched a citywide manhunt for McGriff, warning that he is armed and extremely dangerous.
Horrific Attack Shocks Quiet Queens Neighborhood
Frank Olton, 77, and his wife, Maureen, 78, became victims of what police describe as a “horrific double homicide, robbery, and arson” in their Bellerose home.
The couple had lived peacefully in their residence on 254th Street and 87th Drive for over four decades, known throughout the community for their kindness and willingness to help neighbors.
Their generosity became their downfall when they allowed a stranger into their home under the pretense of needing to charge his phone.
Jamal McGriff, the suspect identified by the NYPD, allegedly spent time in the neighborhood prior to the attack, knocking on doors and asking residents for phone charging assistance.
Witnesses reported seeing McGriff canvassing the area before 3:30 p.m., using this ruse to identify vulnerable targets.
The calculated nature of his approach reveals a predator who specifically targeted elderly residents, exploiting their natural instinct to help someone in apparent need.
Brutal Details Emerge From Crime Scene Investigation
Police discovered Frank Olton’s body in the basement, where he had been tied up and fatally stabbed by the intruder. Maureen Olton was found on the first floor, severely burned in what appears to be a torture scenario before the suspect set the entire house ablaze.
The fire department responded to the blaze shortly when McGriff was spotted leaving the residence carrying bags of stolen property.
The methodical nature of this attack demonstrates a level of cruelty that defies comprehension. This wasn’t a robbery gone wrong or a crime of passion – it was calculated torture perpetrated against two defenseless senior citizens who showed nothing but kindness to their attacker.
The fact that McGriff took time to ransack their home while these victims lay dying shows the complete absence of humanity that characterizes career criminals who should never have been walking free.
Dangerous Felon Remains at Large Despite Manhunt
McGriff remains at large despite an intensive citywide manhunt launched by the NYPD. Police have released surveillance images and descriptions, warning the public that McGriff is armed and extremely dangerous.
The suspect’s criminal history includes multiple violent offenses, raising serious questions about why he was free to commit these heinous acts against innocent victims.
The NYPD has confirmed no prior relationship existed between McGriff and the Olton family, making this a purely random attack that has terrorized the entire Bellerose community.
Police have increased patrols throughout the neighborhood, but residents remain fearful that this violent predator could strike again.
The fact that such a brutal criminal was roaming free to target vulnerable seniors exposes the failures of a justice system that prioritizes criminals’ rights over public safety.
Community Demands Justice and Enhanced Security
The Bellerose community has organized vigils and memorials for the Oltons while demanding immediate action to protect other elderly residents from similar attacks.
Local leaders are calling for increased police funding and enhanced surveillance to prevent future tragedies. This incident highlights the urgent need for policies that keep violent offenders behind bars rather than releasing them to terrorize law-abiding citizens.
The economic and social impacts extend far beyond this single crime, as elderly residents throughout Queens now fear answering their doors or helping strangers in need.
Property values in the area may decline as families reconsider the safety of the neighborhood, while the broader community grapples with the reality that their government has failed to protect the most vulnerable among them.
This tragedy represents everything wrong with soft-on-crime policies that prioritize criminal rehabilitation over victim protection and public safety.
