The threat for domestic violence victims doesnât end once they leave their abuser. Sadly, things can get even more dangerous once abusers realize theyâve lost the control they once wielded over their victims. Tragically, that was the case for Florida mother Ashley Vaia. Ashley, a mother of three, lost her life apparently at the hands of her ex-husband Samuel Vaia.
Before her death, police had arrested Samuel for another violent altercation with Ashley, just a week earlier. While her daughter was able to rescue her that time, when Samuel returned, he caught Ashley alone.Â
On Monday, March 31, 2025, Ashleyâs teenage daughter walked into her Deltona, Florida, home to find her mother dead, People reported. Ashley, 38, had allegedly been shot in the head by her ex-husband. Later, after leading police on a cross-county chase, Samuel took his own life. This wasnât Samuelâs first interaction with law enforcement.
“During last Sundayâs incident, Ashley told deputies that Samuel grabbed her, pushed her into a bathroom, closed the door and continued accusing her of infidelity. She said she tried to yell at her phone to call 911 but was unsuccessful, and Samuel covered her mouth,” Sheriff Michael Chitwood of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said during a press conference.
Ashley told authorities that she and Samuel were attempting to rekindle their relationship. Samuel and Ashley shared a toddler and he had keys to the home due to their time-sharing agreement, a statement from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office read. Samuel was carrying a gun during that confrontation. Ashley called for her teenage daughter during the first altercation. She rushed in the bathroom to her mother, and Samuel fled the scene.
Police were able to catch up with him. They confiscated his gun before arresting him and charging him with battery. âHe was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail early Sunday morning. He later posted $2,000 bond and was released Monday evening,” the statement said. Samuel was ordered to turn over all of his firearms. He returned three but reportedly kept at least one for himself.Â
After Samuel shot and killed Ashley, he drove 100 mph at one point, trying to evade police. Police used stop sticks to apprehend him. After they removed Samuel from his car, they rushed him to the hospital to treat âan apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” police said. Medical staff pronounced him dead at the hospital.Â
During his press conference, Chitwood shared his condolences for Ashleyâs family. âOur hearts go out to Ashleyâs children, and all her family and friends who have to deal with losing her to such a senseless act of violence. Time and time again, we see that domestic violence situations can escalate quickly and dangerously, with tragic consequences.â
According to a GoFundMe launched to benefit Ashley’s three children, the toddler she shared with Samuel is in the custody of their 19-year-old sister. Ashley’s older son was on a deployment with the Navy at the time of the incident.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women’s shelter domesticshelters.org.
