The body of Jozell Payne, 76, was found at his home at 3408 Callier Springs Road on Oct. 18.
Laura Ann Payne, 33, and Edward Eugene Gaines, 36, were arrested in Detroit, Mich., on Monday night and charged with murder in connection with Jozell Payne’s death, according to a news release from the Floyd County Police Department and information from the Wayne County, Mich., Sheriff’s Office.
They are being held at the Wayne County Jail awaiting extradition back to Floyd County.
The cause of Jozell Payne’s death has not been released. The autopsy is pending, said FCPD Sgt. Ron Hunton.
Police have been tight-lipped about the elderly man’s death since his body was found, calling the death “suspicious.”
According to a Floyd County police report, officers were sent to Jozell Payne’s residence for a welfare check the morning of Oct. 18, and no one came to the door.
After forcing their way into the residence they discovered his body and called for detectives.
While on the scene detectives learned that Jozell Payne’s vehicle, a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, was missing, according to the report.
His wife then reported to authorities the next day that two flatscreen televisions, which had recently been purchased by the victim, were gone from the residence. The report also noted that a .38-caliber revolver was stolen from the residence as well.
Police have not said if the burglary is related to the murder, but Hunton said other charges against the younger Payne and Gaines are pending.
The couple was tracked to Detroit with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Fugitive Task Force.
Click here for a previous story on the incident.