(This story was updated to change or add a photo or video.)
A man shot and killed his ex-wife in her Deltona home, fled the scene and later crashed his vehicle off Hammock Dunes toll bridge a county away while evading law enforcement, said Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
He then shot himself in the head.
Deputies responded to a report of a shooting at 2:23 a.m. Monday morning at the 3200 block of Parma Drive. Ashley Vaia, 38, was found dead by her teenage daughter, authorities said. Her ex-husband, Samuel Vaia, 33, was identified and located within an hour.
The murder-suicide occurred a week after Samuel was arrested on a battery charge against his ex-wife and spent a night at Volusia County Branch Jail.
Here’s what we know.
Samuel Vaia’s vehicle was detected and located using technology
Technology detected and located the fleeing white SUV traveling at more than 100 mph on I-95 north out of Volusia.
Various law enforcement agencies and resources including a Volusia County sheriff’s helicopter, responded to the vehicle.
With stop sticks deployed in the road, the suspect crashed into the toll gate at the Hammock Dunes bridge and rolled over around 3:21 a.m. in Palm Coast, deputies stated.
Drones provided continuous visuals on the car as Flagler SWAT approached the suspect.
The suspect shot himself in the head and died at the hospital
“The suspect was transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast Hospital for treatment of injuries including an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” Volusia County Sheriff’s Office stated. “He was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.”
Samuel Vaia was arrested last weekend on battery charges against ex-wife
On Sunday, March 23, Vaia was arrested on battery charges against his ex-wife.
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Ashley Vaia told deputies, who responded around 1:48 a.m., that her ex-husband walked into her bedroom, took her phone and accused her of cheating on him.
She told deputies that Samuel pushed her into a bathroom and shut the door as he continued accusing her. She tried to yell at her phone to call 911. Vaia then covered her mouth. He left after she called for another daughter in the house.
“The victim indicated she and her ex were attempting to reconcile their relationship, and he still had a key to her house due to their time-sharing agreement involving their child,” the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook.
Vaia was arrested on a charge of battery (domestic violence) and booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail early Sunday. Posting $2,000 bond, he was released Monday evening.
Following the dispute, the court issued an order for Vaia to turn in all of his firearms, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said at a press conference Monday morning. Chitwood said Vaia turned in three guns.
Volusia, Flagler sheriffs Mike Chitwood and Rick Staly send condolences
Sheriff Chitwood expressed his condolences for Ashley Vaia’s family and thanked Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Daytona Beach Police Department, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol for their involvement locating the suspect.
“Our hearts go out to Ashley’s children, and all her family and friends who have to deal with losing her to such a senseless act of violence,” Sheriff Chitwood said in a news release. “Time and time again, we see that domestic violence situations can escalate quickly and dangerously, with tragic consequences.”
Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly shared similar sentiments.
“I am thankful for the swift actions of our deputies in helping to prevent any further loss of life. This is a deeply tragic incident for all involved, and we send our condolences to the victim’s family during this extremely difficult time,” Staly said in the Volusia Sheriff news release.
Volusia County domestic violence resources, hotline
Call the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County at 386-257-2297 or visit www.dacvolusia.com for more information about free and confidential services for victims of domestic violence.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is also available at 800-799-SAFE (7233), or by texting START to 88788, or via live chat at www.thehotline.org.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Deltona murder-suicide comes a week after domestic violence arrest: What we know about the deaths
Reporting by Ashley Ferrer, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
