New York City police are searching for 42-year-old Jamel McGriff, who is wanted in connection with the brutal murder of an elderly couple and the arson of their Queens home on Monday, September 8, 2025.
According to the NYPD, firefighters responding to a house fire in Queens discovered the bodies of Maureen Olton, 78, and her husband Frank Thomas Olton, 77, inside their two-story residence. Emergency crews pronounced both deceased at the scene.
Suspect Allegedly Stabbed Victims and Set House on Fire
During a Tuesday press conference, NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said the suspect is believed to have stabbed the couple multiple times before intentionally setting their home on fire.
“This individual should be considered armed and dangerous,” Tisch warned.
Investigators said surveillance footage shows McGriff knocking on doors in the neighborhood Monday morning, claiming he needed to charge his phone. Around 10:15 a.m., he was seen entering the Oltons’ home through the back door, believed to have been let in by one of the victims.
He reportedly remained inside the home for several hours and was captured again on video leaving around 3 p.m., carrying a bag.
Victims’ Son, an FDNY Paramedic, Discovered the Bodies
Worried neighbors, noticing something was wrong, contacted the couple’s son, who is a paramedic with the FDNY. He rushed to the home and was the first to find his parents’ bodies before firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze.
WABC reports that both victims were allegedly set on fire, and Frank Olton was found tied to a pole in the basement. However, officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause of death pending autopsy results.
Suspect Caught on Camera at Pawn Shop
Shortly after the killings, McGriff was allegedly caught on security footage at a pawn shop, attempting to sell two cellphones believed to have belonged to the victims. Based on this and other video footage, police identified him as the primary suspect.
McGriff is described by the NYPD as:
Male, with a dark complexion
Appears to be between 30 to 40 years old
Medium build
Last seen wearing a black hat, black jacket, blue jeans, and black sneakers
Authorities also released video footage of the suspect walking along the sidewalk near the Oltons’ home.
Public Urged to Remain Vigilant
As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone who sees McGriff or has information about his whereabouts to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers immediately. They are also asking the public not to approach him, as he is considered extremely dangerous.
