T he bodies of a Florida couple were found in their home after a suspected murder-suicide that was described by one investigator as the...
The bodies of a Florida couple were found in their home after a suspected murder-suicide that was described by one investigator as the most 'gruesome' crime scene he's seen in his 37-year career.
Bradenton Beach Police were called to the residence of Sabrina Marie Dumdei, 37, and Zachary John Winton, 34, around 2.40pm on Saturday after Dumdei's father discovered their bodies.
Dumdei's worried father went to the apartment complex to check on her and noticed that she was on the floor.
'He broke a door window to gain entry and found her on the floor,' Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale told the Anna Maria Island Sun.
Dumdei and Winton were both pronounced dead at the scene. Speciale said he couldn't confirm how they were killed when asked if the wounds appeared to be from a gun, knife or other weapon.
'We have no idea. All I can tell you is there’s a lot of blood. We’re waiting to find out exactly where the wounds are and what they consist of,' Speciale said.
Speciale also said that there had been reports of domestic violence incidents at the location before.
In a statement to the Anna Maria Island Sun, Sgt Lenard Diaz said the deaths appeared to be 'a possible murder-suicide'.
Bradenton Beach Police were called to the residence of Sabrina Marie Dumdei (left and right), 37, and Winton around 2.40pm on Saturday after Dumdei's father discovered their bodies
Dumdei's worried father went to the apartment complex (pictured) to check on her when he noticed that she was on the floor. 'He broke a door window to gain entry and found her on the floor,' Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said
Diaz said investigators are 'working a suspicious death investigation' that is likely to go on for quite some time.
'This is probably the most gruesome crime scene I’ve ever worked – the worst in 37 years that I’ve ever seen,' Diaz told the news outlet.
'It’s going to be really hard to put together what occurred, what the chronological events were that led up to the actual deaths. Going through the crime scene and photos, I’ll try to put something together, but it’s going to be speculation because there’s no witnesses and nobody saw anything,' he added.
While it's unclear what led up to the deaths, Diaz also confirmed that there were reports of domestic abuse involving the couple.
In July, Dumdei was arrested for throwing a can at Winton. She also reportedly punched him multiple times in the chest with a closed fist. She was charged with domestic battery, but the charges against her were later dropped.
Winton was arrested on August 8 for reportedly punching Dumdei in the face, leaving her with a black eye. They had only been together for six months at the time of this incident.
According to Diaz, police arrested Winton later that month on August 29 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, tampering with a witness, false imprisonment and domestic battery.
At the time of the second incident, a responding officer found Winton yelling as he walked towards Dumdei with a 'large kitchen knife' in one pocket.
While it's unclear what led up to the deaths, police confirmed that there were reports of domestic abuse involving the couple. In July, Dumdei (pictured) was arrested for throwing a can at Winton. The charges against her were later dropped
Winton (left and right) was arrested on August 8 for reportedly punching Dumdei in the face, leaving her with a black eye. They had only been together for six months at the time of this incident. He was arrested again for domestic violence against her on August 29
The officer ordered Winton to back away from Dumdei before placing him under arrest.
While in custody, Winton reportedly said: 'I will kill her. She gonna pay.'
'If I get charged with felonies, I’ll kill her then myself. I will cut her throat,' Winton said, according to the Bradenton Herald.
He was ordered to have no contact with Dumdei but Winton’s attorney filed a motion for consensual contact with the victim.
According to the news outlet, that document said that Winton had no previous felony charges and no history of physical violence.
On September 15, an order was filed granting the motion to lift the no contact order and the status of the pending case remained open as of Saturday.
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