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Friday, March 29, 2024

Man charged with homicide in December death of 63-year-old Ocala man

Isaiah Wilshaun Maeweathers

A 23-year-old man was arrested Monday in connection with a December 2018 murder in Ocala.

Marion County sheriff’s detectives arrested Isaiah Wilshaun Maeweathers, of Ocala, and charged him with homicide in the death of Melvin Bea Thompkins. He is being held in the Marion County Jail with no bond awaiting trial.

On Dec. 29, sheriff’s detectives discovered the 63-year-old Thompkins’ body in the Ocala Ridge subdivision. He suffered from trauma to the skull and extensive burns and his death was ruled a homicide.

During an ensuing investigation, detectives located Thompkins’ vehicle being driven by Maeweathers. After DNA testing, blood‐stained clothes located in the vehicle’s trunk were determined to belong to Thompkins, a sheriff’s office report states.

Evidence processing techniques also indicated the presence of blood in the trunk. And Maeweathers had Thompkins’ cell phone, the report says.

Maeweathers is no stranger to the Marion County legal system. He’s been held in the jail four times since August 2017 on charges – some more than once – of domestic battery, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, driving with no valid license, domestic aggravated battery on a pregnant victim, burglary with assault or battery, larceny/grand theft, battery, unarmed burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, fraud/giving false identification to a law enforcement officer, domestic felony battery with strangulation and petit theft.

Melvin Bea Thompkins

This past September, Thompkins posted a new photograph of himself on his Facebook page with a caption that read: “This is the new and improved me.” Another man also identified as Melvin Thompkins, of Madison, responded with: “Looking good Dad.”

Thompkins’ Facebook page also included a religious meme that read: “If you ain’t ashamed of the holy Ghost and you know God woke you up this morning, say amen and share this!” Another meme asked for hugs and suggested his friends share the post.

The announcement in December on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page of Thompkins’ remains being found also drew several comments and 58 shares. Among those comments were:

Jennifer Marcum: “Thoughts and prayers to the family.”
Ann Calhoun: “Prayers of comfort for the family.”
Robbin Grenier: “So very sad. Now he may rest and his family can get some closure.”