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A person seen walking through the front yard of the home of an elderly couple the morning before they were killed has been identified as a “person of interest” in their deaths, according to the Dunwoody Police Department.

The bodies of Roger, 82, and Dorothy Abbott, 78, were found in their home at 1962 Peeler Road on July 1 by DeKalb County firefighters, who were responding to a fire at the home. Police determined the Abbotts were killed prior to the start of the fire.

“There is no evidence to suggest the crime was random,” Dunwoody Police spokesman Sgt. Mike Carlson said in a statement. “Instead, the evidence suggests the victims may have known the suspect or suspects.”

According to a witness, the “person of interest” is a White male between the ages of 40 to 45, with sandy red to brown hair. He has a slim to medium build, is of average height and was seen wearing a light colored T-shirt, police said.

Neighbors said the Abbots have four grown children, including a special needs son who was away at a camp the day of the incident. No one else was at home when the incident happened.

No suspects have been named in the investigation. The Dunwoody Police has been aided by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Sandy Springs Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

To help with this and other investigations, the Dunwoody Police has acquired a Web-based program for residents to leave anonymous tips online or through text messaging on cell phones. 

The “TipSoft” program is available online at www.dunwoodypolice.com and under the tab “Submit a Tip.”