Police: Accused killer abducted his victim
Suspect kills himself in jail after arrest
Wallace Dean Worman, an 87-year-old widower, was picking up dinner Sunday at Boston’s Fish House near Winter Park when a stranger forced him into his own car and drove him to a bank, where the man used Worman’s debit card to withdraw money.
A little more than an hour later, Worman was shot and killed in the bedroom of his home near Casselberry.
His accused killer, Edward Israel Marrero, 23, hanged himself Thursday night in the Orange County Jail, where he had been taken Monday after his arrest.
Marrero died at a hospital early Friday. He had been facing a murder charge in the death of the beloved veteran.
Friends are reeling over the loss of Worman, a former Air Force pilot who was married for 50 years. His wife, Alice, died in 2005.
Every Sunday, parishioners at Aloma United Methodist Church were greeted with Worman’s firm handshake and warm smile.
Worman, the congregation’s
chief usher, made worshipers feel at home, whether they had been attending services for years or had just walked into the church for the first time, parishioners said.
Sunday was the last time Wally, as his friends called him, stood ready to welcome the flock.
“Whatever feeling you had for your most endearing grandparent, that’s the feeling that came over you,” said John Legg, a senior pastor at Aloma United Methodist, who met Worman in 2015 when Legg had just accepted a position with the church. “It was that type of warmth. He was one of the folks that you’re glad when he walked in the room — because he made it better.”
Marrero led a very different life. He was released from state prison March 10 after serving a two-year sentence for aggravated stalking. An ex-girlfriend said he threatened her and continually called even though she asked him to stop.
Court documents show Marrero, who also went by the name Havoc, was accused of breaking into homes almost daily starting Oct. 4 until he was arrested Oct. 12. He even burglarized his own aunt’s house, authorities said.
The teary-eyed aunt, who identified her nephew from a neighbor’s surveillance video, told police he was stealing to feed a “severe drug habit.”
On Oct. 3, Marrero asked to borrow a ruby and diamond ring from an acquaintance. He said he was going to propose to his girlfriend and wanted an idea for an engagement ring, records show. Instead, he pawned it for $35.
The next day, police say, he broke into a home on Primrose Drive in Orlando and stole a PlayStation 3, Apple iPad and $100, according to a police report.
Marrero was accused of breaking into more homes in Orlando and Orange County on Oct. 6, 8, 10 and 12.
In an Oct. 10 warrant for Marrero’s arrest, an Orlando police detective asked a judge to deny bail or place a hold on him until he could prove his bail money was not from illicit activities.
Orange Circuit Judge Keith Carsten granted the hold, but on Oct. 13 Orange County Judge Adam McGinnis canceled it.
Marrero was released Oct. 17, five days before he came upon Worman.
Seminole County deputy sheriffs say Marrero accosted Worman about 5 p.m. Sunday outside the restaurant on Aloma Avenue near Forsyth Road in the Goldenrod area.
About 15 minutes later, Marrero withdrew cash from Worman’s account at a Regions Bank in Orlando. Afterward, he drove to Worman’s house on Norwich Court, where investigators say he shot the grandfather in the head.
“Knowing Wally, he was probably trying to help this kid out,” said David Reynolds, who ushered with Worman at Aloma United Methodist Church.
Marrero was captured on video at a toll plaza on State Road 417 at Red Bug Lake Road about 6:10 p.m. and at an Orange County Publix on Worman’s cellphone about 7 p.m.
A friend who went to check on Worman found his body Monday morning. There were blood spatters on the dresser, bed and floor, deputies said.
A GPS tracker led law officers to Worman’s car at Central Boulevard and Garland Avenue in downtown Orlando, where they found Marrero walking away with the keys in his pocket. Cash, credit cards and the gun used to kill Worman were inside the car.
Worman’s funeral is set for 11 a.m. Thursday at Aloma United Methodist Church. dharris@ orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5471