A shocking criminal case in Florida has sparked national outrage after a woman was charged with fatally shooting two of her ex-husbands on the same day, in incidents that occurred in different counties across the state. Authorities reported that the suspect faces second-degree murder charges and could face a more serious indictment, including the death penalty.
The defendant was identified as 51-year-old Susan Avalon, a resident of Citrus County, who was arrested following a joint investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the Tampa Police Department.
Double homicide in Florida: What is known about the case?
According to Sheriff Rick Wells, authorities believe the killings are part of a premeditated double homicide that occurred on Wednesday in Hillsborough and Manatee counties.
The first attack reportedly occurred in Tampa, where one of Avalon’s ex-husbands was found dead from gunshot wounds in his home. Hours later, the woman traveled to Bradenton in Manatee County, where she allegedly committed the second homicide.
She posed as a delivery person to commit the crime.
According to the investigation, Avalon allegedly used a food delivery disguise to approach her second victim without raising suspicion. Authorities indicated that she allegedly stole food from a nearby Panera restaurant and pretended to make a home delivery.
The shooting occurred around 2:55 p.m. at a residence in the Heritage Harbor community of Bradenton, a busy residential neighborhood.
There’s nothing more brazen than this. «It was broad daylight, with children returning from school», Sheriff Wells declared.
The victim was taken to the hospital alive, where he later died. Before dying, he managed to tell the officers that he suspected his ex-wife.
A teenage girl was an indirect witness to the attack
Inside the residence was the victim’s 15-year-old daughter, who did not directly witness the attack but heard the gunshots and saw a silver Honda Odyssey van, driven by a hooded individual in a gray sweatshirt, leaving the scene.
Thanks to license plate readers, authorities tracked the vehicle to Citrus County, where Avalon lives.
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He tried to destroy evidence after the murders
When the detectives arrived at the suspect’s residence, they found her attempting to destroy evidence, using bleach and rags to clean her vehicle, authorities reported.
During the initial interrogation, the investigators began to suspect that there was more than one victim when Avalon asked:
«Which of my ex-husbands do you want to talk about?»
That statement led authorities to contact the Tampa Police Department, which discovered the second homicide after entering the ex-husband’s residence, where they found the body with gunshot wounds.
Contradictory statements and legal background
According to investigators, Susan Avalon has neither cooperated nor offered a formal confession. However, during the interrogation she made accusations against her ex-husbands, alleging that one of them was a suspected child abuser, although these claims have not been confirmed.
Authorities revealed that Avalon had a criminal record related to child abuse and custody disputes dating back to 2004, including proceedings in Virginia, Tampa, and Pasco County, some of which were dismissed.
It was also reported that he was involved in child support disputes, with a debt of nearly $4,000, and faced possible suspension of his driver’s license.
The groom’s testimony and suspicious behavior
Avalon’s current boyfriend, with whom she lived, stated that on the day of the incident she acted unusually, telling him she loved him “in case anything happened to her.” Later, upon returning home, she got into the shower fully clothed, still wearing a gray sweatshirt, and made disparaging remarks about her ex-husbands.
Avalon is the mother of five children from her two previous marriages.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the State Attorney’s Office plans to seek more severe charges, and the death penalty has not been ruled out, given the gravity and premeditation of the case.
Currently, Susan Avalon remains in custody at the Citrus County Jail, awaiting formal charges in both counties.
