(This version updates with victims, suspect’s names.)
The deaths of five people at a home in Sarasota could be connected to a double homicide in South Florida, authorities announced Wednesday.
Police responded to the Sarasota home just before 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10 where they found neighbors in the front yard attempting CPR on a male victim who was shot. While the male victim was being attended to, authorities were alerted that his wife was likely inside the residence.
When deputies entered the home, they found four deceased adults, two men and two women. It’s believed one of the victims inside the home was the suspect. The male victim found outside the residence died shortly after authorities arrived.
The Sarasota victims have been identified as: Olga Greinert, 49, Florita Stolyar, 66, Anatoly Ioffe, 61 and Yaroslav Blyudoy, 39. The suspect was identified as Russell Kot, 51, of Fort Lauderdale.
The Fort Lauderdale victims have been identified as Larisa Blyudaya, 46, and Ben Azivov, 18.
Video from the Sarasota neighborhood shows the suspect’s vehicle entering the area just after 11 a.m. on Feb. 10. Gunfire can be heard on a neighbor’s Ring camera shortly after.
About 37 minutes later, the male victim found on the front lawn was seen entering the neighborhood in his vehicle. He then approached the front door where he was shot. No one was seen entering or exiting the home after that, authorities said.
Authorities believe Sarasota killings connected to Fort Lauderdale double homicide
During the investigation, authorities in Sarasota were alerted that a double homicide suspect in Fort Lauderdale was captured on camera traveling to Sarasota. Fort Lauderdale police officers were able to provide information regarding the suspect’s vehicle, which was located in the Sarasota neighborhood were the crime took place.
It’s believed the suspect previously had a romantic relationship with one of the Fort Lauderdale victims, authorities said in a press release. That victim was connected to those killed in Sarasota.
Fort Lauderdale police responded to a residence about 1:30 p.m., Feb. 10 for a well-being check. Upon arrival, officers found two adults deceased inside the home, according to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
Where were bodies found in the Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale killings?
Two adult bodies were found in a residence in Fort Lauderdale about 1:30 p.m., Feb. 10 after authorities went to the residence for a wellness check.
In Sarasota, authorities arrived to a residence and found one male victim on the front lawn. At the time, neighbors were attempting CPR, but the victim was pronounced dead a short time later.
The wife of the man on the front lawn, along with two men and another woman were found deceased inside the home. It’s believed the man inside the home killed the victims in Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale.
Who died in the Florida homicides?
Here are the names of the Sarasota victims:
The Fort Lauderdale victims have been identified as:
It’s not clear if the victims were related or how they knew each other.
Authorities believe Kot had a romantic relationship with one of the Fort Lauderdale victims. It’s also believed one of the Fort Lauderdale victims was somehow connected to the Sarasota victims.
Who is the suspect in the homicides? Were the people shot?
The suspect was identified as Russell Kot, 51. It’s believed the suspect had a romantic relationship at one time with one of the Fort Lauderdale victims.
Authorities said the suspect and all victims died from gunshot wounds.
Michelle Spitzeris a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Police: 7 dead in separate parts of Florida likely linked; victims ID’d
Reporting by Michelle Spitzer, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
