Dundee, FL: Sheriff: Woman Found Dead Was Stabbed to Death

Investigators say Agueda Maldonado was killed by her boyfriend, Jesus Flores, who has not yet been found.


By Rick Rousos
THE LEDGER

Published: Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 10:44 p.m.
DUNDEE | Agueda Maldonado, found dead in a Dundee motel room, was stabbed at least 20 times, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Sunday.

He said Sunday night that detectives are seeking a first-degree murder warrant for Jesus Flores, 33, who was Maldonado's boyfriend and has not yet been found.

Maldonado, whose last known address was 149 Oak Hollow Drive in Haines City, was found Saturday morning in a room at the Monticello Motel on U.S. 27 in Dundee.

Maldonado checked into the motel on Feb. 15. She had been dead for several days when she was found.

An autopsy showed more than 20 stab wounds and a fatal wound to the heart, sheriff's spokeswoman Carrie Eleazer said in a press release.

Maldonado's vehicle, a white 1993 four-door Buick LeSabre, was found Tuesday in the back yard of a home on Winsor Avenue. in Haines City.

Judd said the people living in the home got up early for work, and the car was in the yard abandoned.

He said detectives are unsure of a motive for the slaying.

They have been unable to locate Flores.

Judd said investigators think Maldonado had been dead since her car disappeared. That's because of the state of her body when it was found, he said.

Eleazer said jail records show Flores was arrested by Haines City police on Dec. 9 on a charge of disorderly intoxication and released on Jan. 27. While he was in jail he was also charged with second-degree arson, but sheriff's officials said Sunday they could not provide any details on the disposition of that case.

Sheriff's officials asked anyone with information about Maldonado's death or how her car arrived at Winsor Avenue to contact Detective Steve Parker at 863-899-2833 or 863-298-6200.

To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-8477.

[ Rick Rousos can be reached at rick.rousos@theledger.com or 863-401-6968. ]


This story appeared in print on page B1