NORTH PORT, Fla. (WFLA) — North Port police have made an arrest in a murder that occurred days earlier than Hurricane Ian, in response to a Friday press launch.
The North Port Police Department mentioned officers had been despatched to research a murder on South Haberland Boulevard on Sept. 26.
“Once on site, officers found a gruesome scene, with the victim bound and stabbed multiple times,” a police launch mentioned.
An arrest affidavit mentioned that the sufferer was discovered with “approximately 38 stab wounds” to the top, torso, and groin. Police mentioned the sufferer additionally had tape on her mouth and her palms certain behind her physique.
Investigators realized the sufferer had been relationship Michael Douglas, 53, of Port Charlotte earlier than her loss of life.
According to the arrest doc, the sufferer’s daughter instructed police that Douglas pursued the sufferer whereas she was already in a relationship and was encouraging her to finish it. The daughter additionally mentioned the suspect had entry to the home’s storage and outdoors areas.
Police mentioned different paperwork confirmed that he was in the method of buying a house with the sufferer.
Douglas additionally confirmed his co-workers at PGT Industries, Inc. an image of the sufferer and inspired anybody to have a look at his “beautiful wife,” the affidavit mentioned.
Investigators mentioned DNA proof gathered from a sexual assault package carried out on the sufferer’s physique confirmed Y-chromosome DNA on the sufferer’s physique that matched Douglas’ DNA profile. A partial DNA match was additionally discovered from fingernail clippings, in response to police.
Dashcam video obtained from an off-duty North Port police officer additionally confirmed a Jeep Grand Cherokee matching one belonging to Douglas parked down the road from the sufferer’s home at round 7:28 p.m. on Sept. 26 — over an hour earlier than officers arrived on the homicide scene.
“It is due to hard work and dedication from our agency, which will help our victim’s family find some sort of justice for this senseless and heinous crime,” North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison mentioned.
Douglas was arrested Thursday on a cost of first-degree premeditated homicide and booked into the (*38*) County Jail.