The Chapman’s were the sweetest people you could meet While many may remember Bill as the man behind Chapman’s Shoes in the 1960s and 1970s, in his later years he served as a custodian to his church and sold both vacuums and vitamins part time. Lee kept herself busy around the home, especially with her love for books and popular culture.

She was always taking care of her children and grandchildren, making sure all were fed to bursting whenever they came to visit. But what remains for the family besides who did this, is the lingering question of why would anyone want to murder their parents and grandparents.

What could possibly prompt somebody to murder a sweet, elderly couple that had been married 59 years? They had survived depression and war and yet their lives were taken from them in their own home.

A $50,000 reward remains in place by the State of California for anyone providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s)responsible for this tragedy. Anyone with information is asked to call Merced police detective Joe Deliman or the department’s anonymous tipster line at (209) 385-4725.