Man charged with homicide after veteran, 87, killed in Casselberry home

CASSELBERRY, FLORIDA — A 23-year-old man was charged with homicide in the death of an 87-year-old veteran, Seminole County investigators said.

Edward Marrero was brought in for questioning Monday night as a person of interest after Wallace Worman’s body was found inside his home on Norwich Court, authorities said.

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Worman’s friends checked on him every morning, but Monday, they found him dead with obvious signs of trauma, deputies said.

Marrero was booked into the Orange County Jail on an unrelated charge, and was later charged with homicide. He’s being held on 26 charges, including grand theft and burglary, authorities said.

"It's crazy because we've never had anything like this happen in this neighborhood,” said neighbor Tim Nantka.

There was no forced entry into the home, investigators said.

Kimanski said Worman lost his wife about 10 years ago, and that he used to ride his bike with his dog until it died.

"(Worman was) the sweetest, kindest man. I have no idea how this could even happen to a person like that," neighbor Kim Kimanski said.

Deputies said the last time anyone talked to Worman was Sunday at church.

Loved ones said Worman was a veteran and an active church member.

"Everybody is in shock. We can't comprehend it. I can't comprehend it. Nobody can comprehend it. It's pathetic," Kimanski said.

For Eric Twachtman, the news of his longtime friend’s death was unimaginable.

“I couldn’t even speak. It was just devastating. Making me cry all over again to think about it,” he said.

Twachtman has known Worman, or Wally, as he called him, for about two decades. They met at Aloma United Methodist Church in Winter Park.

Twachtman said he saw Worman there Sunday morning.

“He was just his normal, you know, friendly self,” he said.

He said Worman retired from a long career in the Air Force, and that Worman ushered Twachtman’s mother’s funeral a few months ago.

“He felt gratitude at being able to be a part of it, which said a lot about him,” Twachtman said.

Twachtman said Sunday morning service won't be the same without the smiling face of his friend Wally.

"To have him not there by the front door, welcoming, saying hi, kidding around. Yeah, it'll be a big hole,” he said.

Records show that Marrero had 13 arrests in Orange County, dating back to 2012.

Court records show that Marrero was out on bail, following an arrest less than two weeks ago.

State records show Marrero also served a year and half in prison, starting in 2015.

The cause of death has not been released.