Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Dad with history of domestic violence admits killing 18-year-old son, wife (Golden Gate, Florida)

With his track record, dad JOSE SUAZO should have been locked up a long time ago. But of course he wasn't, and now two people are dead.

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/23146615/two-found-dead-in-golden-gate-idd#.UiaDKNKmiSo

Pastor: Man confessed to killing his wife and son

Posted: Aug 15, 2013 11:44 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 16, 2013 9:47 PM EDT

By Rick Ritter, Reporter

GOLDEN GATE, FL - Collier County Sheriff's Office is conducting a double death investigation with suspicious circumstances; one that left a male and female dead inside a Golden Gate City home.

The call came in around 10:30 a.m. Thursday. When authorities arrived, they discovered Johana Nunez, 35, and Joseph Suazo, 18, dead inside the home at 3032 50th Street Southwest.

Collier County deputies requested for law enforcement to be on the lookout for a silver Honda a potential suspect was traveling in.

Lee County deputies found the suspect just before 1 p.m. when they came upon the car stopped on a berm along I-75 southbound with its hazard lights on near the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard exit.

"One of our deputies observed the vehicle as it was travelling through the area. Observed he was on the side of the road; flashers on, then notified other units and they converged to approach with caution and take the individuals out of the car," said Sgt. Larry King, Lee County Sheriff's Office.

The suspect, Jose Suazo, 48, was taken into custody and questioned.

Two other people were with the suspect. Their connection to him has not been released. Deputies have said they were cooperative.

Thursday we met with the Suazo family pastor. He didn't speak English, but in our interview he told us José Suazo is a man with anger issues.

The pastor says his son called Suazo, asking what had happened. That's when he says Suazo admitted to killing his wife and son.

"We know her for 21 years. I know her for many, many years. She have two babies and one 19-year-old boy," said Madria Valle, friend of Nunez.

A friend of Joanna Nunez said her home life was not good and last month her husband even threatened to kill her.

"She told me that Jose said 'I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you.' And I say, 'why you not go? Leave him, run away,'" Valle said.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office and other agencies, including the Florida Department of Children and Families, had investigated complaints of domestic violence involving the family previously; including an incident in 2007 where Jose Suazo was arrested on a battery charge.

Collier County deputies charged Suazo with two counts of second-degree murder.

Thursday night the Golden Gate community held a candlelight vigil for the family at Golden Gate Community Park.

We're also learning there have been prior cases of domestic violence against Suazo before the tragedy on Thursday.

Several reports from the Collier County Sheriff's Office show the relationship between Jose Suazo and his wife and son was more than violent.

"I cannot believe it right now. Until I see bodies, I cannot believe," said family friend Yuzo Nishi.

Deputies responded to their house more than five times over a two year period for cases where Jose pointed guns at his son and even beat his wife.

"Joseph told the police and made a lot of reports about his father, because his father threatened to kill him and beat him down," said Nishi.

Johanna owned a beauty salon in Naples.

It was closed Friday with customers waiting outside wondering, why.

While family and friends try to come to grips with the tragic double homicide, they are asking the entire community for prayers.

"We have to pray a lot. Have to pray for him, two little kids," said family friend Caroilla Rodriquez.

Investigators were back on the scene Friday.

Suazo made his first appearance Friday.