Susan Erica Avalon, 51, has been accused of fatally shooting two former husbands on December 17 in separate incidents in Bradenton and Tampa, Florida. Investigators say the alleged shooter used a stolen Panera Bread order to lure one victim and a silver Honda Odyssey tracked by license-plate readers linked the vehicle to Avalon. Deputies observed her cleaning the van with bleach and rags; Tampa police later found a second ex-husband shot to death inside his home. Avalon faces a second-degree homicide charge in Manatee County while prosecutors pursue additional charges; investigations remain ongoing.
Florida Woman Accused Of Killing Two Ex-Husbands In Separate Shootings On Same Day
Manatee County Sheriff news conference
Authorities say that on December 17 investigators allege 51-year-old Susan Erica Avalon of Citrus County, Florida, fatally shot two of her former husbands in separate incidents in Bradenton and Tampa.
What Happened
Responding to a shooting call in a Bradenton neighborhood, police found a 54-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the abdomen who was transported to a local hospital and later died, the Bradenton Herald reported. The victim—whose name is being withheld under Florida law protecting crime victims—briefly told officers that the shooter was “possibly my ex-wife,” according to investigators.
Detectives say the alleged shooter used a ruse to get the victim to the door: she went to a nearby Panera Bread and took an order intended for delivery, then used it to prompt the victim to answer. A 15-year-old daughter who was in the home heard gunfire and told police she saw a silver Honda Odyssey leave the scene driven by someone wearing a surgical mask and a gray sweatshirt. Avalon owns a silver Honda Odyssey, investigators said.
How Police Tracked The Vehicle
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office detectives used license-plate reader technology to follow the minivan toward Citrus County and went to Avalon’s home. Deputies say they saw Avalon carrying bleach and cleaning rags and then observed her get into the Odyssey and begin wiping the interior. According to local NBC affiliate WESH, when deputies told Avalon they wanted to speak with her about her ex-husband she reportedly responded, “Which one?”
Concerned that another ex-husband might be in danger, detectives alerted Tampa police. Tampa officers went to a residence connected to a second former husband; after receiving no answer at the door and observing damage to a rear entry, they entered and found a man inside who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
"It doesn't get any more brazen than this," Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said at a press conference, noting one of the shootings occurred in daylight in a busy neighborhood.
Charges And Investigation
Avalon has been charged with second-degree homicide in Manatee County. Sheriff Wells said his office will ask the state attorney to convene a grand jury to consider first-degree murder charges and that the MCSO intends to seek the death penalty; Tampa authorities are cooperating on the second homicide investigation. Investigators have not announced a confirmed motive. Wells said Avalon reportedly owed the Bradenton victim about $4,000 in past-due child support and faced possible license suspension if she did not pay.
Both investigations are active. Reporting sources include the Bradenton Herald, WESH and Mediaite. All allegations described above are based on law enforcement statements and charging actions; Avalon is accused but has not been convicted in either case.
