Tragic Incident In Florida Involving Lawmaker

A Florida lawmaker has apparently kidnapped and killed his ex-girlfriend, who was also the mother of his two children, before taking his own life, according to authorities.

Late Monday evening, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri held a news conference where Gualtieri described the situation as “horrific.” The incident took place earlier that night.

The victim and her children, ages 9 and 12, were returning from the beach when they encountered Deputy Troy Sabets, 47, in the yard of a residence in Hudson.

Authorities have not publicly identified the mother.

Reports indicate that the former couple had a tumultuous relationship, marked by frequent breakups. A disagreement over a television led to Sabets taking the victim’s cellphone to stop her from dialing 911. In response, the mother instructed her kids to go inside and call for help.

Sheriff Nocco praised the children, saying they “did a phenomenal job” in alerting dispatchers promptly.

“We heard the 911 tape, and your mother expressed her intent to go inside for safety and call 911,” Nocco noted during the news conference. “Your mother is looking down from heaven, so proud of you… You did exactly what she would have wanted.”

According to Nocco, the children are now under their biological father’s care.

When law enforcement arrived at the home around 5:30 p.m., both the woman and Sabets were missing. Investigators quickly learned that Sabets had forced her into a rental car and fled. Technology was used to track the vehicle to nearby Spring Hill, where both individuals were found dead inside, apparently from gunshot wounds in a murder-suicide scenario.

Gualtieri confirmed that Sabets had a 14-year career with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and had served in the Marine Corps.

“There’s no reason for a permanent solution to a temporary problem,” Gualtieri emphasized. “Clearly, there were mental health issues at play. This is a very frightening situation.”

“The moment he committed this act, he ceased to be a law enforcement officer and became a criminal,” Nocco added, stressing the danger posed to children.