Son charged with murder of Florida radio ham

Robert Farley, of Lakeland, Florida, has been charged with first degree murder in the death of his father Walter Farley, K4QE, also of Lakeland.

"The Ledger," a newspaper in Farley's hometown, reported that authorities allege that Robert killed his father New Year's Eve during an argument over family matters.

Walter Farley was 93. Authorities said that on Saturday, January 3, Robert Farley confessed to the killing and led detectives to a lake where he had discarded the murder weapon; the weapon was recovered by dive team members later that afternoon.

Walter Farley served in the US Army during World War II as a telephone and radio repairman. He fixed tape recorders for the blind and was involved with the local historical society.

A member of the Lakeland Amateur Radio Club, Walter was active on local Nets.