PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Federal authorities said Friday they were stepping up their search for Paul Michael Merhige, the Miami man accused of killing four relatives on Thanksgiving.
The week-long manhunt for Merhige was elevated to a "major case'' by the U.S. Marshals Service, allowing the use of "significantly more federal resources'' to find the suspected killer, the Palm Beach Post said.
A federal reward for information on Merhige was raised to $25,000.
Merhige, 35, is accused of the shooting deaths of his twin sisters, an aunt and a 6-year-old cousin during a Thanksgiving night dinner gathering in Jupiter, Fla. One of the twins was reported to be pregnant.
Merhige indicated he had a history of mental problems and a "strong resentment toward several family members,'' the marshals Web site said.
