Suspect in Cocoa woman's stabbing death sought

COCOA, Fla. — Cocoa authorities said they were investigating two deaths Monday.

Police said the first death was the stabbing of 81-year-old Faye Jones. She was found stabbed to death inside her home Sunday on North Fiske Boulevard.

Jones’ friend, who drove a church carpool, was attacked when he knocked on her door to pick her up, police said.

He is expected to survive.

Police said Marcus Antonio Royal, 33, took off with the Jones' phone, purse and car.

"He's an incredible threat to society," said Officer Barbara Matthews of the Cocoa Police Department.

Authorities said Royal was attempting to use the Jones’ bank cards in Seminole County.

An arrest warrant was issued against Royal on charges of first-degree felony murder, attempted first-degree felony murder and burglary with battery.

Police said they found the phone and purse about 10 miles away, but did not find Royal.

"She probably would've sat in the corner and let him have everything. They didn't have to do that,” said neighbor Holly Purvis.

Cocoa police said they are looking for a dark green Ford Fusion with license plate "N744PU."

Royal was released from the Brevard County Jail on Saturday, March 16^, at about 10:15 a.m.

Police said within 24 hours, Royal had returned to Cocoa and committed the crime.

Also on Sunday, blocks away, a man was found fatally shot outside the Crestview Villa apartment complex.

WFTV is working to find out whether the deaths are connected.

Friends of the man who was shot told WFTV he was in his late 20s or early 30s.

A witness said they saw three men running from the scene right after the shooting, but so far, police have not made any arrests.

WFTV