Issue 317, January 30 2025

Amber Alert Issued for Missing Sisters After Mother's Murder, Elderly Florida Man Accused of Staging Suicide

January 30, 2025

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

What is one common tactic used by criminals to stage a crime scene to look like a suicide?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

PODCAST: Park Predators | The Angler

When a Navy veteran, new to Oklahoma, is found stabbed to death at a popular fishing spot, authorities swiftly turn their attention to a mysterious angler seen fleeing the scene. What they uncovered during the investigation, however, was something no one could have predicted.

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What’s Happening Now

Amber Alert Issued for Missing Sisters Believed To Be Abducted By Father After Mother's Murder

Police in Central California issued an Amber Alert for missing sisters Arya and Alana Maldonado, believed to be abducted by their father, Jonathan Maldonado-Cruz.

The alert was prompted by the murder of the girls' mother, found dead in Hanford.

Maldonado-Cruz is described as armed and dangerous, possibly fleeing to Mexico.

The suspect is driving a gray 2020 Hyundai Elantra with California license plate 8LZD084.

Arya is 3 feet tall, 25 lbs, with brown hair and eyes, Alana is 2 feet 5 inches tall, 20 lbs.

Those with information should contact the Kings County Sheriff's Office.

Elderly Florida Man Accused of Staging Wife's Murder as Suicide

An 88-year-old Florida man, Miroslav Maksic, is accused of killing his 76-year-old wife, Miljka Maksic, and staging the crime scene to look like a suicide.

The incident occurred at 3 a.m. on Sunday in North Port, Florida.

The police responded to a report of a suicide, but upon investigation, they determined that the woman did not take her own life, and her husband had staged the scene.

Miroslav Maksic has been charged with homicide and was booked into the Sarasota County Jail without bond.

Police are committed to bringing justice to the victim and her family.

🔫Safety Tip of the Day: Always avoid handling or disturbing a crime scene.

If you ever encounter a suspicious situation or believe a crime has occurred, it's crucial not to touch or alter anything at the scene. Even if it seems like an obvious suicide or accident, touching objects like weapons, notes, or personal belongings can unintentionally tamper with evidence. Disturbing the scene could lead to a wrongful conclusion, especially if the crime was staged to appear as a suicide. Instead, call authorities immediately and allow professionals to handle the investigation.

Cold Case Highlights

John Ramsey Meets with Boulder Police Chief to Discuss JonBenet's Case

John Ramsey, father of JonBenet Ramsey, met with Boulder Police Department Chief Stephen Redfearn to discuss the 1996 murder case of his 6-year-old daughter.

JonBenet was found strangled and bludgeoned to death in the family's Boulder home on Dec. 26, 1996, with the killer still unknown.

Redfearn provided updates on the active investigation, which includes plans to retest DNA evidence and examine previously untested items from the crime scene.

Ramsey is hopeful that working with advanced labs will bring justice for JonBenet, acknowledging the complex nature of DNA technology and the extensive efforts made by law enforcement over the years.

PODCAST: Anatomy of Murder | Wrong Place, Wrong Time (Jamal Drummond)

A chance encounter ends in murder. The events that led to an innocent man being shot were both puzzling and maddening.

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
Placing the weapon in the victim’s hand or near them

One common tactic used to make a murder appear as a suicide is to place the weapon, such as a gun or knife, in the victim’s hand or close to them. This can mislead investigators into thinking the victim took their own life, though further investigation often reveals inconsistencies with the staged scene.