In a shocking and tragic sequence of events, a 51-year-old American woman stands accused of murdering both of her former husbands in a single day. Susan Avalon of Florida was arrested this week in connection with one death and is the prime suspect in a second, according to law enforcement officials.
Two Crime Scenes, One Suspect
The grim discoveries began on Wednesday, December 17. Deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence in Bradenton. There, they found a 54-year-old man suffering from critical gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. The victim's identity has not been publicly released.
In a crucial moment before his death, the wounded man managed to tell officers at the scene that his ex-wife was "possibly" responsible for the attack. The couple had been divorced for approximately 11 years.
A Chilling Question and a Second Body
Authorities tracked down and arrested Avalon later that same evening in Citrus County, which is about 125 miles from the Bradenton crime scene. The arrest came after investigators pieced together information from the victim's teenage daughter and store security, which showed Avalon had taken a Panera soup without paying before going to her ex-husband's home.
However, it was a single, telling question from Avalon that opened a second investigation. When officers approached her at her residence in Citrus County—where they observed her cleaning her vehicle with bleach—and stated they wanted to discuss her ex-husband, she replied, "Which one?"
This response immediately prompted deputies to check on her other former spouse at a home in Tampa. Tragically, they found him deceased from gunshot wounds. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office stated there is now "credible evidence" linking Avalon to this second homicide in Tampa. Investigators believe the Tampa killing occurred before the shooting in Manatee County.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Susan Avalon has been formally charged with second-degree homicide in the Manatee County case. As the investigation remains active, it is not yet clear if she has been arrested or charged separately for the killing in Tampa. The case has drawn widespread attention due to its brazen and calculated nature, leaving two families to grapple with an unimaginable loss.
