In a shocking case that reads like something out of a crime thriller, a Florida woman has been arrested after allegedly killing both of her ex-husbands on the very same day. Susan Avalon, 51, is now facing serious charges in connection with the death of a 54-year-old man in Bradenton, and authorities are investigating her possible involvement in the fatal shooting of another former husband in Tampa.
According to a statement from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call at a Bradenton residence on Wednesday, December 17, only to find the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he later succumbed to his injuries. The tragedy left a community reeling, but the details that followed made the case even more astonishing.
At a press conference on Thursday, the Manatee County sheriff revealed that the victim had told officers that his ex-wife, whom he had divorced roughly 11 years ago, was “possibly” responsible for the attack. This chilling remark set off a fast-moving investigation.
Later that evening, authorities arrested Avalon in Citrus County, about 125 miles from the scene of the first killing. Investigators pieced together her movements through a mix of surveillance, witness accounts, and sharp police work. According to officials, Avalon had taken a Panera soup from a nearby store without paying and then traveled to her ex-husband’s home. Crucially, information from the victim’s teenage daughter—who spotted a vehicle and an individual outside the residence—helped deputies identify Avalon as a suspect.
When officers arrived at her Citrus County residence, they reportedly found Avalon cleaning her vehicle with bleach, an act authorities believe may have been an attempt to destroy evidence. Confronted by police and asked about her ex-husband, she gave a response that stunned officers: “Which one?”
That offhand remark sent investigators scrambling to check on her second ex-husband, who lived in Tampa. Tragically, he was found dead from gunshot wounds. The sheriff’s office later confirmed that there is “credible evidence” linking Avalon to the Tampa homicide, and authorities believe the Tampa shooting occurred before the one in Manatee County.
At present, Avalon has been formally charged with second-degree homicide in the Manatee County case. Whether she will face charges in connection with the Tampa killing remains under investigation. Authorities have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and many details of her motives and actions are still unclear.
This case has shocked not only the local community but also those following it across the nation. The notion that someone could commit such acts against two former spouses in one day is almost unimaginable, and questions about what led to this tragic chain of events are likely to dominate conversations for months to come.
