Police in Florida suspect that a man who was said to be on the verge of proposing to his girlfriend on Christmas shot her dead in their apartment before turning the gun on himself, it was reported on Thursday.
The bodies of Richard Travis Timilty, 27, and his girlfriend, Holly Given, 26, were found in the apartment they shared in the Riviera Beach section of Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday afternoon.
Investigators said that at first glance it appeared Timilty shot Given dead before committing suicide, the Palm Beach Post reported.
Given, a native of Key Largo, Florida, worked as a local real estate agent, according to her Facebook page.
The bodies of Richard Travis Timilty (right), 27, and his girlfriend, Holly Given, 26, were found in the apartment they shared in the Riviera Beach section of Palm Beach, Florida
Investigators said that at first glance it appeared Timilty shot Given dead before committing suicide
Melissa Birch, a neighbor, told Palm Beach Post that a day before the couple died, she saw Given running in and out of their home (seen above) carrying her belongings and loading them up in her car.
Timilty is known to have worked nearby as a boat captain.
Police said there is no history of any domestic violence calls. Investigators are still trying to piece together a possible motive.
Melissa Birch, a neighbor, told Palm Beach Post that a day before the couple died, she saw Given running in and out of their home carrying her belongings and loading them up in her car.
‘There was a history there,’ Birch said.
Given, a native of Key Largo, Florida, worked as a local real estate agent, according to her Facebook page
Police said there is no history of any domestic violence calls. Investigators are still trying to piece together a possible motive
Timilty’s parents, however, said that rumors the couple was fighting were untrue
The parents said Timilty was making plans to buy an engagement ring for Given and to propose during Christmas
Timilty’s parents, however, said that rumors the couple was fighting were untrue.
They said they saw their son 30 minutes before police say the murder-suicide took place.
The parents, Lisa Martinez and Dennis Bater, said they drove together to pick their son up at a local restaurant after his phone battery died.
‘He was smiling,’ Martinez said. ‘He was happy.’
The parents said Timilty was making plans to buy an engagement ring for Given and to propose during Christmas.
Bater said Timilty referred to Given as ‘the one.’
The parents also said that Timilty was excited about the new job he had just gotten.
‘The fish just came to him,’ Bater said.
‘He finally achieved his goal, becoming a boat captain. He had such a bright future.’
On social media, Given announced her relationship with Timilty on October 20, which is the same day he filed for divorce from another woman.
Timilty’s marriage was dissolved on November 28, according to Palm Beach Post.
‘So devastated. Praying for their families. What a loss. Holly the world was a better place with you in it. Now heaven is a better place. Prayers for the families,’ a friend of Given posted on social media in reaction to her death.