September 10, 2025 Queens, NY – It was a house that had been a home for decades, a place where an elderly couple raised their family. Now, it's a crime scene. A fire that ripped through a Bellerose home on Monday afternoon has ended in tragedy, with the discovery of an elderly couple brutally murdered. The suspect, a man with a criminal history spanning 30 years, is still at large, and police are warning he is armed and dangerous.
Police have identified the suspect as Jamel McGriff, 42. He is wanted in connection with the horrific slayings of 76-year-old Frank Olton and his wife, Maureen Olton, 77.
What Happened to Frank and Maureen Olton?
According to officials, the fire started just after 3 p.m. at the couple's home near 200th Street and 87th Drive. The Olton’s son, an FDNY EMT, was the first to be alerted to the fire by the home's alarm system. When first responders arrived, they found a gruesome scene inside.
Frank Olton was found in the basement, tied to a pole and suffering from multiple stab wounds. Maureen Olton was discovered on the first floor with severe burns. While the medical examiner is still working to determine the exact cause of death for both victims, police say there is no doubt that McGriff is the man responsible.
A Deceptive Killer
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the attack began with a simple act of deception. Surveillance video shows McGriff approaching the Olton’s home and asking for help. Frank Olton, in what appears to be an act of kindness, let him inside.
"His method is to go door to door asking for some kind of assistance until he can gain entry," Tisch warned. "Do not allow anyone you do not know or are not expecting into your home."
A Chilling Criminal History
Police describe McGriff as a career criminal whose violent history dates back 30 years. He is currently on parole after serving more than 16 years for a 2006 first-degree robbery conviction and recently failed to register as a sex offender.
