At 67 years old, Lorraine Coleman Whitfield had everything she ever dreamed of—success, wealth, and a baby on the way.

She had worked tirelessly for decades, building a financial empire and a life that many would envy.
But on the night of her death, everything she held dear was ripped away by the one person she trusted most: her husband, Clarence James Whitfield Jr.

Their seemingly perfect marriage was built on a facade that, for a while, appeared to be filled with love.
But beneath CJ’s charming exterior lay a man who saw his wife’s wealth as his ticket to freedom—freedom he was willing to kill for.
On August 16, 2018, Lorraine’s 67th birthday, she was murdered in the most horrific way, with her own husband’s hands sealing her fate.

Lorraine’s life story is one of perseverance and achievement.
Born in 1951 in segregated Miami, Lorraine’s journey to success was nothing short of remarkable.
She rose from humble beginnings, overcoming numerous obstacles to become one of the most successful black businesswomen in Florida.
Her company, Coleman Financial Services, grew into a multi-million-dollar empire that helped countless minority-owned businesses secure loans and navigate a banking system that often turned them away.

But Lorraine’s success came at a personal cost.
Despite her accomplishments, she was deeply lonely.
Her first marriage ended in divorce, and after years of heartbreak, she hoped that her second marriage to CJ would bring the happiness she had always yearned for.

However, CJ, a man half her age, had no interest in building a life with her.
Instead, he saw her as a means to an end—a wealthy woman he could exploit.
By 2014, Lorraine had unknowingly become a target of CJ’s manipulations.
He preyed on her loneliness, his charm and calculated moves convincing her to invest $150,000 in his mother’s failing art gallery, Whitfield Fine Arts.

The money kept flowing from Lorraine’s accounts into CJ and Evelyn’s ventures, but Lorraine remained blinded by her desire to believe in the love they shared.
CJ, however, was never invested in their marriage.
He continued his affair with a younger woman while keeping Lorraine in the dark, pretending to be the devoted husband she wanted him to be.

Everything changed when Lorraine discovered that she was pregnant at 66 years old, defying all odds.
The news should have been a moment of joy, but instead, it marked the beginning of the end.

Lorraine’s pregnancy was a miracle, but it was also fraught with medical risks, including the possibility that the baby would not survive.
Despite the doctor’s recommendation to terminate the pregnancy, Lorraine refused.
She had longed for motherhood her entire life, and this was the child she had prayed for.

CJ, on the other hand, saw the pregnancy as an obstacle.
His indifference to Lorraine’s miracle was shocking—when she told him about the pregnancy, he barely reacted.
This should have been a moment of joy for both of them, yet his response was cold and dismissive.
But Lorraine, still believing in the love she thought they shared, made excuses for him.
She was determined to carry the child to term, no matter the risks.

What Lorraine didn’t know was that CJ had already made his decision.
He was not interested in being a father, nor did he care about her well-being.
To him, the pregnancy was a burden, and if he couldn’t get Lorraine to abort, he would find another way to free himself from his marriage.

CJ’s plan to murder Lorraine was methodical.
In the months leading up to their trip to Bora Bora, he conducted detailed research on how to dispose of her body without it ever being found.
He studied sedatives, body disposal techniques, and the geography of Bora Bora’s ocean depths.

He carefully crafted his plan to ensure that no one would ever find Lorraine or their unborn child.

On the morning of August 16, 2018, Lorraine awoke to a reality she could not escape.
The sedatives CJ had slipped into her food and drink the night before took effect, rendering her unconscious.
CJ then suffocated her with a pillow, ensuring that her body would never be found.
He wrapped her in a scarf, weighted her down with dive weights, and threw her body into the ocean, hoping it would sink to the bottom, never to surface again.

While CJ returned to Miami, pretending nothing had happened, Lorraine’s friends and family began to worry.
She had always been in constant contact with her best friend, Gwen Harper, but after her trip, there was complete silence.
Gwen’s concern grew, and after several unanswered calls and messages, she knew something was wrong.
Gwen eventually went to Lorraine’s house and confronted CJ, but he refused to let her inside.
His calm demeanor and evasive answers only raised more suspicion.

As the investigation unfolded, CJ’s lies began to unravel.
Digital forensic experts uncovered his search history, revealing his detailed plans for Lorraine’s murder.
Evidence from the resort in Bora Bora confirmed that Lorraine had never checked out, and her body had never been recovered.

CJ Whitfield was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and evidence tampering.

The case shocked the community, and Lorraine’s tragic death became a reminder of how manipulative and calculating some people can be.
CJ had carefully planned the perfect crime, but in the end, his actions were exposed, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

Lorraine’s legacy lives on, not in the wealth she accumulated, but in the lives she touched through her business and generosity.
Her friends and family continue to honor her memory, knowing that the woman who built an empire deserved better than the betrayal she received.
Her story is a painful reminder that even the most successful and accomplished people can fall victim to those who seek to exploit them.

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