Body found during search for Homestead woman after video shows kidnapping in Seminole County – NBC 6 South Florida

Authorities believe they have found the body of a Homestead woman who disappeared after her carjacking at gunpoint in central Florida was caught on camera, and they are looking for suspects in her murder.

Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas was kidnapped Thursday after a witness filmed an armed suspect pointing a gun at her at a Winter Springs intersection, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office officials said.

The 31-year-old woman had left Homestead earlier in the day and headed north in a white Dodge Durango until she reached Seminole County.

As he was driving, a green Acura hit his rear bumper. She called her husband and told him someone was following her and sexually assaulting her, Seminole Sheriff Dennis Lemma told reporters Friday.

The husband told her not to stop, but neither of them called 911, Lemma said.

Video taken by a person in another vehicle and released by the sheriff’s office showed an armed suspect wearing a black hoodie, wearing what appeared to be a Halloween or ski mask and dark clothing approaching the Durango from an Acura at the intersection.

The suspect pointed a gun at the driver and entered the Durango through the rear driver’s side door. Authorities believe the gunman forced Guerrero De Aguasvivas to continue driving while holding him at gunpoint.

“It is very scary to see the courage of this suspect, a criminal, getting out of the car, wearing a helmet, carrying a weapon in broad daylight, getting into the car,” Lemma said.

Officials said the Durango continued into Osceola County into a new construction zone.

“I suspect that where they told him to go, it’s a place they’ve been before, they seemed to be very familiar with the area below. I don’t think this is an accident, ‘hey clear the road,'” Lemma said. .

Less than two hours after the abduction, the authorities received a call of a burning car in the construction area and the authorities arrived and found the car, believed to be a Durango, burnt, with a body inside.

Authorities believe the body inside is Guerrero De Aguasvivas, although they are awaiting official confirmation from DNA or dental records.

Investigators also found a dozen shell casings at the scene, Lemma said. The shells contain 10 mm bullets, similar to the gun used in the carjacking, Lemma said.

Authorities are trying to determine the motive for the killing, but Lemma said it appears the residents of Acura knew who they were targeting.

“There are many things that are unknown, many things will leave people scratching their heads and I think the biggest is why, because this is not just a random event,” Lemma said. “Why didn’t she and her husband call 911? I don’t know.”

Lemma said Guerrero De Aguasvivas and her husband are associated with two businesses in South Florida, a barber shop and a salon.

“There is no criminal history here for Katherine or her husband in the United States. There is no clear indication why someone would do this, why they would target them,” Lemma said.

Authorities said Guerrero De Aguasvivas’ husband was tipping them off. Lemma said they don’t know why she was in Central Florida but said the husband told investigators he was visiting family.

Authorities believe they have found the body of a Homestead woman who disappeared after her carjacking at gunpoint in central Florida was caught on camera, and they are looking for suspects in her murder.

“The first report we were given was Katherine was traveling to Central Florida to visit family members. We don’t know any family members who live in Central Florida,” Lemma said.

Friends at the salon in Florida City were shocked to hear about the incident on Friday. In the house of Guerrero De Aguasvivas, the neighbors were also stunned to hear the news.

“She was a good girl with her husband and family,” neighbor Miguel Rivera said.

Investigators are trying to locate the Acura or its occupants. According to SCSO, the armed suspect is believed to be white or Hispanic.

A second suspect, also believed to be white or Hispanic, was allegedly driving the green Acura.

“Obviously they have to look armed and dangerous, don’t confront them yourself, contact the authorities,” Lemma said.

Officials said if anyone sees the Acura, they should not approach it, but instead call 911 or contact the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.