Florida border control agent kills wife, 2 sons before shooting himself following family trip to Disney World
Florida officials said a US Customs and Border Protection agent from Orlando International Airport killed his family. The bodies of the agent and his family were found by deputies that were performing a welfare check on February 20 afternoon. The victims were identified as Ezequiel Almodovar, his wife and two sons.
Almodovar killed his wife, Marielis Soto, 38, and their two sons Ezequiel 'Zeke' Almodova, 16, and Gabriel Almodovar, 12, at their Florida home, authorities confirmed on February 20 night. Orange County Sheriff John Mina identified the deceased, one of whom was Almodovar. He had taken his own life.
The CBP officer allegedly committed the crime after posting a message on Facebook about a Disney's Animal Kingdom trip. Daily Mail reported that in his other recent posts, the 39-year-old married father-of-two repeatedly professed his love to his wife and wrote cryptically about 'new beginnings'.
At a news conference, Mina said that after colleagues were worried when agent Almodovar didn't show up to work, deputies were sent to the family residence east of Orlando around 3 pm on February 20. After learning that the family members were not seen for a week, deputies entered to conduct a welfare check. They found the bodies of four of the family members with gunshot wounds. "It's just a tragic circumstance," Mina continued. Mina confirmed that deputies were not called to the residence before February 20.
A statement released by CBP director of field operations in Miami and Tampa, Diane Sabatino, confirmed the tragic news and revealed that the federal agency is helping with the investigation.
"It is with heavy hearts that the CBP family in Florida is working through the tragic deaths of Marielis Soto and her two young children, Gabriel & Ezequiel, at the hands of Ezequiel Almodovar," Sabatino said. Neighbors confirmed that they believe that the agent and his family had lived in the home for about five to six years and that Almodovar was often seen walking their dog. Daily Mail reported that "investigators so far have offered no motive for the family's killings".
Almodovar's sister Gloria stood up for her brother saying that he loved his family and that people that didn't know her brother should not leave negative comments. The post read, "He is the best man and father I have ever known and I wish I could have told him that so he knew how much he was loved and looked up to." She also paid tribute to her sister-in-law's family.