Post by Joanna on Nov 13, 2015 20:02:43 GMT -5
Young Orlando Woman Murdered by Apartment Community Security Guard
ORLANDO, Fla. – Police said they have arrested the man (above) whom they believe killed a woman found dead in her downtown Orlando apartment and the suspect is a security guard who was responsible for keeping the complex's tenants safe. Stephen Duxbury is charged with first-degree murder, sexual battery and burglary.
Investigators said Duxbury, 33, raped and killed Sasha Samsudean, 27, early Saturday, October 17 at the Uptown Place Apartments on North Orange Avenue. Duxbury committed “a crime of opportunity, Police Chief John Mina reported. "As a security guard, he used his access to prey on someone who was very vulnerable," he said Friday after announcing Duxbury's arrest.
A surveillance image showed Samsudean walking into her apartment building at 1:45 a.m. October 17 after a night out with friends. What the image doesn't show, police said, was Duxbury following her.
Residents who live at the complex said they were shocked and upset to hear the only person on guard late at night would follow a resident to her door and take advantage of her. One resident claimed to have seen the security guard following other women. "He'd immediately be right behind me, kind of out of nowhere, and I thought it was weird," said the resident, who asked not to be identified. "He used to come up and speak to me at night, or be walking right behind me. Just very creepy, very strange."
According to an Orlando police arrest affidavit, Duxbury was behind Samsudean, who appeared to be impaired, watching her bump into walls in a stairwell. "We were pretty close to the security officer from the get-go," said Sgt. Dan Brady, with the Orlando Police Department's Homicide Unit.
Police said Duxbury was bold enough to approach detectives to assist with the investigation. But detectives said there were red flags. Duxbury had abrasions on both arms, and one looked like a bite mark. Samsudean attempted to fight off her attacker and save her own life as she was raped and strangled to death.
Detectives said Samsudean's attacker used bleach to destroy evidence, but investigators found a fingerprint and shoe prints belonging to Duxbury, who claimed he was never inside her apartment. "He took advantage of a vulnerable person, and we truly feel sorrow and sadness for Sasha's family," Sgt. Brady said. "She was a young, beautiful, vibrant woman, loved by her friends and her community."
US marshals arrested Duxbury Friday, October 30. in Volusia County where he lives with his wife. He was booked without bond.
Duxbury worked at the apartment complex through Vital Security, which released this statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with [the family] during this difficult time. The company has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the law enforcement investigation."
Source: Amanda McKenzie, News13, October 31, 2015.
