Toronto Jewish couple found murdered in Florida townhouse

TORONTO (JTA) — The deaths of a Toronto Jewish couple found in their winter home in south Florida are being investigated as a double homicide.

David Pichosky, 71, and Rochelle Wise, 66, who spent the winters in their Hallandale Beach townhouse, were found dead on the night of Jan. 10. Their deaths are not believed to be a murder-suicide.

"We have few details on how they were killed, but this is definitely a double homicide," Capt. Sonia Quinones, a spokeswoman for the Hallandale Beach Police, told the Miami Herald.

The two reportedly were supposed to have lunch the day before with a friend. When the couple did not show up, the friend used a spare key to check their home, where he found their bodies.

Pichosky, who was known to friends and relatives as Donny, had retired after selling his office-carpet business and had spent at least 20 years wintering in Florida. He reportedly prayed every day and was religiously observant.

Wise was a former preschool vice principal at the Bialik Hebrew Day School in Toronto and a founding director of a local day camp.They were married after the death of Pichosky’s wife in 2006.

In Florida, she volunteered at a Hebrew day school in Hallandale, helping children with learning problems. She also was an active member of Na’amat, the Jewish women’s organization.

Shana Harris, Bialik’s head of school, wrote in an email to parents on Friday, "We are all profoundly shocked and distraught by the tragic loss of Rochelle Wise and her husband Donny. Rochelle was a beloved member of the Bialik community and respected as an outstanding educator and wonderful human being."