A Florida sheriff’s deputy kidnapped and fatally shot his ex-girlfriend before turning the gun on himself in what authorities described as an apparent murder-suicide, following a dispute that investigators say began over a television.
On August 10, the victim—whose name has not been released publicly—returned home with her 12-year-old and 9-year-old children to find Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Troy Savetz, 47, waiting inside.
During a press conference shared by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Savetz and the woman had been in an “on again, off again tumultuous relationship.”
“He killed her and killed himself,” Gualtieri said. “The fact that he made that kind of a decision to leave two kids at 12 and 9 years old without a mom for the rest of their life is just awful.”
Authorities Say Argument Began Over Troy Savetz’s Belongings
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said the confrontation started soon after the woman arrived at the home with her children.
“Supposedly, Troy wants his TV back,” Nocco said. “There was some dispute over some of his materials.”
According to Nocco, the woman tried to call 911 as the argument escalated, but Savetz prevented her from doing so. When her children went inside the home to contact law enforcement, authorities said Savetz pulled a gun on the woman and abducted her, leaving the two children behind.
Investigators said Savetz and the woman then drove away in a rental car.
Authorities later located them after a deputy spotted the vehicle in the area of Platinum Drive.
“We’re able to identify there was two bodies in the car,” Nocco said. “Our teams approached safely because we know the suspect’s armed, but we’re not sure exactly if he’s still alive or not. But then we identify that he and the victim are deceased.”
Gualtieri underscored the lasting trauma left behind by the apparent murder-suicide, particularly for the victim’s two children, who authorities say witnessed the beginning of the deadly encounter.
“For that to spark him, to decide that he is going to take his gun, kidnap her, shoot her and kill her, and have her kids experience that—or whatever relationship issues—and the spark was a TV set,” Gualtieri said. “It’s just horrible.”
