A Florida woman is facing murder charges after the deaths of both of her ex-husbands on the same day. Currently, Susan Avalon is the main suspect in both deaths after a seemingly innocent question caused police concern. Avalon allegedly stole food from a local Panera, using it to pose as a delivery driver and get close enough to one of her ex-husbands. Then, she allegedly shot him. Although her face wasn’t seen, her car was apparently at the scene. Police are still trying to establish a motive in the first alleged killing while also investigating the second killing that she may have committed.
On the afternoon of December 17, 2025, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office got a call about a shooting, NBC News reported. When they arrived at the home, they saw a 54-year-old man with gunshot wounds.
In a news conference the next day, Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells, said that the man, who has not been identified, was shot in the abdomen and “still alert and is speaking to us.” According to Wells, when deputies asked the man who could have shot him, he said “possibly my ex-wife.”
Authorities believe the man’s ex-wife, 51-year-old Avalon, showed up at his house disguised as a delivery driver. The man’s 15-year-old daughter, who NBC News reported he shares with Avalon, was home at the time and heard gunshots.
“I want you to understand how traumatized she is,” Wells said. Although the father was alive when he was taken to the hospital, he died from his injuries later that same night.
Investigators located Avalon at her home on December 17, the Bradenton Herald reported. There, they saw her wiping her car with cleaning rags and bleach. When police approached Avalon to tell her they were there to talk to her about her ex-husband, she replied “which one?” Wells said.
That comment tipped off police, according to the Herald. Manatee County investigators reached out to Tampa police, where Avalon’s second ex-husband lives, to perform a welfare check.
When they arrived, they found him shot and killed in his home. Investigators believe the shooting happened earlier on December 17, before Avalon traveled to Manatee County. “We don’t know why yesterday was the day that she decided to take this action,” Wells said.
“We believe this is premeditated. She knew what she was doing. It was planned. She came here to kill her ex-husband,” Wells said.
Avalon had prior arrests related to child abuse and custody disputes going back to 2004, the sheriff said. She has no other significant criminal history.
Investigators are working to find the gun Avalon allegedly used in the Manatee County shooting. They are still processing other evidence found, Wells said. A search warrant for her car has been obtained but is not fully complete yet.
Charges related to the other shooting will be handled separately. Although the shooting remains under investigation by the Tampa Police Department, they are coordinating with Manatee County investigators. Avalon remains under arrest.
