Florida divorcee, 48, accused of gunning down both of her ex-husbands in same-day fatal shootings

A shocking incident unfolded in Florida as a woman, Susan Avalon, was arrested for allegedly killing both of her ex-husbands in separate shootings on the same day. The 48-year-old suspect has been charged with murder after fatally shooting one ex-husband in Tampa and then traveling over 50 miles to Manatee County to kill the other on the same day.

According to authorities, Avalon was involved in bitter custody battles with her former spouses, which may have been the motive behind the heinous crimes. Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells described the killings as premeditated and planned, stating that Avalon knew what she was doing when she carried out the attacks.

The first victim, a 54-year-old man who had been divorced from Avalon for around 11 years, was lured to his front door with stolen food from a Panera Bread before being shot twice by Avalon. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries later that day. Surveillance footage captured Avalon stealing food from the restaurant before heading to her ex-husband’s home.

Avalon’s live-in boyfriend informed police that she had recently obtained her ex-husband’s address. The couple reportedly had ongoing custody disputes and unpaid child support amounting to $4,000, with Avalon facing the risk of losing her driver’s license if she did not pay $200 by a looming deadline.

After the first shooting, investigators traced Avalon’s vehicle back to her home in Citrus County, where they found her cleaning the minivan with bleach. When questioned by the police about her ex-husband, Avalon callously asked, “Which one?” This led authorities to discover that she had been married again after her first victim and that her second ex-husband lived in Tampa.

Tampa authorities conducted a welfare check at the second husband’s residence and found him dead inside with multiple gunshot wounds. The back door showed signs of forced entry, indicating that Avalon had allegedly killed him first. The investigation is ongoing, and Avalon has not yet been charged in connection with the Tampa shooting.

Avalon, who has a history of child abuse charges in Virginia in 2004, is currently facing second-degree homicide charges in Manatee County. Sheriff Wells is working with prosecutors to upgrade the charge to first-degree murder and seek the death penalty. The suspect, who reportedly has five children from both ex-husbands, also had two child abuse cases in Tampa and Pasco County that were later dropped.

Avalon is currently in custody at the Citrus County Detention Facility in Lecanto as the investigation continues. The tragic events have left the community shocked and saddened by the senseless violence carried out by the suspect.