Current:Home > NewsHusband arrested after wife's body parts found in 3 suitcases-InfoLens
Husband arrested after wife's body parts found in 3 suitcases
View Date:2024-12-23 11:40:17
A man has been arrested for first-degree murder after remains belonging to his wife were found in three suitcases in Florida last month, court records show.
The three suitcases were uncovered in the Intracoastal Waterway after someone called 911 to report something strange in the waterway on July 21, the Delray Beach Police Department said.
The remains were believed to be that of "a white or Hispanic middle-aged woman with brown hair and approximately 5'4" tall," police said amid their investigation following the gruesome discovery. One of the suitcases had a sticker with the name, "Latam, MIA, Barbosa," on it, according to the probable cause affidavit.
MORE: Human remains found in 3 separate suitcases in Florida, police say
The investigation, including reviewing surveillance footage, led police to execute a search warrant on Monday in the home of William Lowe, 78, of Delray Beach, court records show. They found "blood spatter throughout the residence," including in the living room, dining room and primary bathroom, according to the affidavit.
A search of Lowe's storage unit also uncovered a chainsaw that appeared to have blood and other human remains on it, according to the affidavit.
During an interview with police on Monday, Lowe reportedly said that his wife, Aydil Barbosa Fontes, had been in Brazil for "about 3 weeks," but when asked, he did not know how she got to the airport, what airline she flew or the last time he spoke to her, according to the affidavit.
When shown photos of two of the suitcases the victim's remains were found in, Lowe reportedly said he had never seen them before, according to the affidavit. When asked by police why there would be a sticker with his wife's name on it on one of the suitcases, he reportedly replied, "I don't know," according to the affidavit.
On Tuesday, the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim through dental records as Aydil Barbosa Fontes, according to the affidavit. The medical examiner determined the manner of death to be homicide and the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the head, according to the affidavit.
MORE: Desperate search for more victims after woman escapes alleged kidnapper's cinder block cell
Lowe was booked into the Palm Beach County jail on Wednesday on first-degree murder and abuse of a dead body, online jail records show. He appeared in court Thursday and was not granted bond, police said. His attorney information wasn't immediately available.
Delray Beach Police Chief Russ Mager thanked the community for providing tips that helped lead police to a suspect in the "heinous crime."
"Although we can never fully repair what has transpired, it is our hope that our office can somehow bring peace to the victim and her family," Mager said during a press briefing on Thursday.
ABC News' Teddy Grant and Ahmad Hemingway contributed to this report.
veryGood! (87221)
Related
- Contained, extinguished and mopping up: Here’s what some common wildfire terms mean
- Robbers linked to $1.7 million smash-and-grab heists in LA get up to 10 years in prison
- US stands by decision that 50 million air bag inflators are dangerous, steps closer to huge recall
- US stands by decision that 50 million air bag inflators are dangerous, steps closer to huge recall
- Shaun White Reveals How He and Fiancée Nina Dobrev Overcome Struggles in Their Relationship
- US road safety agency will look into fatal crash near Seattle involving Tesla using automated system
- Daughter of Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley says she thought baby died after she gave birth
- Texas is home to 9 of the 10 fastest growing cities in the nation
- California researchers discover mysterious, gelatinous new sea slug
- Why Mandy Moore Fans Think She’s Hinting at a Princess Diaries 3 Cameo
Ranking
- Wall Street makes wagers on the likely winners and losers in a second Trump term
- Chicago woman of viral 'green dress girl' fame sparks discourse over proper club attire
- Member of ‘Tennessee Three’ hopes to survive state Democratic primary for Senate seat
- Colombian President Petro calls on Venezuela’s Maduro to release detailed vote counts from election
- Pedro Pascal's Sister Lux Pascal Debuts Daring Slit on Red Carpet at Gladiator II Premiere
- US stands by decision that 50 million air bag inflators are dangerous, steps closer to huge recall
- Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's Son Miles Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes
- Governor appoints new adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard
Recommendation
-
Black and Latino families displaced from Palm Springs neighborhood reach $27M tentative settlement
-
GOP primary voters in Arizona’s largest county oust election official who endured years of attacks
-
Rudy Giuliani agrees to deal to end his bankruptcy case, pay creditors’ financial adviser $400k
-
9-month-old boy dies in backseat of hot car after parent forgets daycare drop-off
-
Mike Tyson is expected to honor late daughter during Jake Paul fight. Here's how.
-
Utility chief in north Florida sentenced to 4 years in prison for privatization scheme
-
Utility chief in north Florida sentenced to 4 years in prison for privatization scheme
-
Ex-leaders of Penn State frat where pledge died after night of drinking plead guilty to misdemeanors