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Authorities are begging for information about the killing of an elderly couple who were stabbed to death in their home near Springfield.

Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott says some people fear retribution if they provide information about the April deaths of 80-year-old Helen Willingham and her 81-year-old husband, Donald Willingham.

Arnott says two people identified as persons of interest in the homicides are being held on unrelated charges. He declined to provide information about the persons of interest.

Arnott says Helen Willingham called police to report her husband was struggling with an intruder. By the time authorities arrived six minutes later, the two were dead.

Arnott says he believes the Willingham home was picked randomly.

Relatives are offering a $20,000 reward for information about the case.