Police: Miami Gardens married couple’s death is a murder-suicide case

Firefighters found Rhonda Spencer, left, and Tim Fordham, right, dead on May 7 in Miami Gardens. (Courtesy family photos and Local 10 News archive video of May 7 fire)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Detectives described the recent deaths of a 65-year-old woman and her 59-year-old husband of 20 years as a murder-suicide in Miami Gardens, police said.

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A fire on May 7 destroyed the home where Rhonda Spencer and her husband Tim Fordham lived and died in Miami Gardens, according to police.

Sepencer’s nephew Tamonjamin Williams said an explosion woke him up shortly before 3:30 a.m., on May 7 at the home along Northwest 185 Terrace.

“The ceiling inside the bedroom was on top of me. I started calling for them ... I couldn’t get out the door ... God pulled the door open and then I went out,” Williams said after the fire.

When their loved ones met for a vigil on Wednesday, Spencer’s sister, Jamie Spenser, described their deaths as an unexpected and horrible “senseless murder” and said she was glad Williams survived.

Detectives asked anyone with information about this or other cases to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 to remain anonymous.


About the Authors
Christian De La Rosa headshot

Christian De La Rosa joined Local 10 News in April 2017 after spending time as a reporter and anchor in Atlanta, San Diego, Orlando and Panama City Beach.

Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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