La Verne couple killed: Authorities looking for person of interest

Sunday, December 28, 2014
La Verne couple killed: Authorities looking for person of interest
Authorities are looking for a man who neighbors say was in the area around the time of a murder that left a couple dead.

LA VERNE, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities are looking for a man who neighbors say was in the area around the time of a murder that left a couple dead in La Verne.

The incident happened shortly before 1:30 p.m. Friday in the 300 block of Roughrider Road, authorities said. A groundskeeper discovered the couple, Armie Troy Isom and his wife, Shirley, unresponsive, and called the San Dimas Sheriff's Station.

Authorities say the two were stabbed several times and suffered blunt-force trauma.

Neighbors said they saw a man on their street just before the bodies were discovered. It was a man they had never seen before, and he was carrying a duffle bag.

"We were just leaving, and he walked right by -- he was within 10 feet of us. We wondered where he came from, because he did look homeless," said Kathy Mason.

Investigators are looking for that man and say he is considered a person of interest in the case.

Armie Isom worked in construction. His wife was a mother of five and a grandmother.

Shirley Isom is seen in a photo from Facebook.
Shirley Isom is seen in a photo from Facebook.
facebook.com/shirleyann.isom

The suspect was described as a male Hispanic, between 25 and 30 years old, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds. He was said to be wearing a green or orange hoodie, and a green or red backpack. According to neighbors, the suspect walked up Roughrider Road, which dead ends at the Isom residence. He was seen walking back down a short time later.

Deputies were expected on horseback Sunday to look for more clues. Meantime, a motive remains unknown. Anyone with information was asked to call the San Dimas Sheriff Station at (909) 450-2700.