2 bodies, exotic animals found in College Park home

2 bodies, exotic animals found in College Park home

Anika Myers Palm

Sentinel Staff Writer

7:57 p.m. EDT, August 15, 2009


COLLEGE PARK - The bodies of a man and a woman were found Saturday in a College Park home also occupied by dozens of exotic animals, including four monkeys and 20 birds.

Officers found the bodies while conducting a check of the well-being of the home's residents after an early afternoon call.

Inside, the officers discovered the 20 birds, five cats, at least three dogs, and four monkeys -- including one monkey that was guarding the body of one of the deceased.

"[This] is one of those scenes you don't usually see," police spokeswoman Sgt. Barbara Jones said.

Jones identified the dead as Kathryn Whitson, 72, the home's owner, and Walter Simpson, 72, who lived with her. One of Whitson's family members made the call to authorities. Police would not speculate Saturday about how the two died. The Orange County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause and timing of the deaths, officials said.
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2 bodies, exotic animals found in College Park home