A Florida woman is at the center of a shocking double homicide case that has left authorities and the community reeling. Susan Erica Avalon, 51, is accused of murdering both her ex-husbands on December 17. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office describes the act as brazen and calculated.
The first shooting occurred just before 3 p.m., a time when many families are at home and children are arriving from school. The victim, a 54-year-old man, was found with two gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead a few hours later at the hospital. Before he died, he told deputies that someone had come to his door and shot him, mentioning that it might have been his ex-wife. This detail underscores the disturbing nature of the crime—a violent attack in broad daylight, with the victim’s teenage daughter inside the house. She didn’t see the shooting but heard the gunfire and spotted a silver Honda Odyssey leaving the scene, driven by someone wearing a mask.
As law enforcement worked to identify the shooter, they looked into Avalon, who lived in Citrus County. They visited her home the following day, only to find her cleaning her vehicle with rags and bleach. When approached by detectives, Avalon reportedly responded, “Which one?” This chilling reply raised alarm bells, prompting investigators to check on her second ex-husband in Tampa. Tragically, they discovered him dead from multiple gunshot wounds, revealing a calculated pattern in Avalon’s actions.
Authorities now believe Avalon executed a premeditated plan, traveling first to Tampa to kill her second ex-husband before making her way to Manatee County for the first. As the investigation evolves, the second-degree murder charge against Avalon is likely to be escalated as prosecutors gather evidence. Sheriff Rick Wells expressed concern over the violent nature of the crimes, stating, “It doesn’t get any more brazen than this.” With the incident occurring in a busy neighborhood, Wells highlighted how Avalon “didn’t seem to care” about the implications of her actions in plain sight.
The case raises questions about motives and personal history, aspects that investigators have not yet unveiled. The names of the victims have not been released due to privacy laws, but the gravity of the situation remains clear. As detectives work to uncover more details, the community is left to grapple with the realization that such violence can erupt in their midst. The unfolding events serve as a stark reminder of the potential for domestic disputes to escalate into something far more sinister.
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