Jury convicts man in 2023 killing of his elderly mother, case raises public safety concerns

A jury in Hernando County delivered a guilty verdict on November 21, 2025 against R. W. Resca Jr., 46, finding him guilty of second degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in the 2023 killing of his mother, Dabanee Cook Resca, 75. According to reporting by The Hernando Sun, deputies discovered the victim's body in a storm drain near the family home in November 2023, and the medical examiner observed a gunshot wound to the chest.

The investigation unfolded at the family residence, where detectives questioned Resca. Reporting indicates that detectives found his behavior during the interview suspicious, and that he later confessed to killing his mother and disposing of the body. The Fifth Judicial Circuit prosecuted the case, and the jury verdict brings formal criminal accountability nearly two years after the victim's death.

For residents of Hernando County the verdict resolves a local criminal case that drew attention because of the victim's age and the manner in which the body was discarded. The facts reported by law enforcement and the medical examiner underline two interlocking public safety issues for the county. First, elder safety and welfare are concerns for families and for social services that work with older residents. Second, the possession of a firearm by a person with a prior felony record raises questions about enforcement of firearms restrictions and the systems that monitor prohibited possessors.

The case also illustrates the role of local institutions in responding to violent crime. Deputies, detectives, the medical examiner, and the Fifth Judicial Circuit all played statutory roles from investigation through prosecution. The jury verdict is a direct example of community participation in the justice system, as jurors from the county weighed the evidence and rendered a decision that will determine criminal penalties through court proceedings to follow.

Local leaders and service providers may view this conviction as a prompt to review policies and resources related to elder protection, crisis intervention, and monitoring of individuals barred from possessing firearms. Victim services and family support systems in Hernando County may see renewed interest from residents seeking clarity about how to report concerns and how law enforcement responds to threats against vulnerable adults.

As the county moves ahead, residents can expect the court to set subsequent steps in the case consistent with Florida law and the Fifth Judicial Circuit's procedures. The verdict brings a legal conclusion to the question of criminal responsibility while also inviting public discussion about prevention, enforcement, and community supports that aim to reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies.