BRADENTON, FL – The quiet suburban neighborhoods of Bradenton and Tampa were shattered this week when authorities alleged a Florida woman embarked on a deadly path, leaving two of her ex-husbands dead in separate cities and launching an intense investigation across county lines.
Susan Avalon, 51, was arrested Wednesday after detectives from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office say she methodically visited both of her former spouses’ homes, shooting each man before attempting to erase any trace of her movements. The investigation began in Bradenton, where deputies responded to a midday call about a shooting and found a 54-year-old man, still conscious despite being struck by two bullets.
In his final moments, the victim reportedly told officers his ex-wife may have been behind the attack. His 15-year-old daughter, who shared the home with him and Avalon, was in the house at the time. Police said she didn’t witness the shooting itself, but recalled the chilling sound of three gunshots, and moments later spotted a silver Honda Odyssey—allegedly Avalon’s vehicle—fleeing the scene. The teenager later described the assailant as masked and dressed in gray.
Emergency crews rushed the wounded man to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries that evening. As detectives processed the scene, an unsettling piece of evidence surfaced: a bag of food from Panera Bread, apparently used as a ruse to get the victim to open his door. Surveillance footage from a nearby Panera Bread revealed a woman matching Avalon’s description walking in, taking a takeout bag intended for delivery, and leaving without paying.
Detectives quickly pieced together that the victim and Avalon had divorced more than a decade ago, and that unresolved child support disputes may have fueled their ongoing conflict. The case took a grim turn when investigators traced Avalon to her home in Citrus County. Watching from a distance as they waited for backup, officers reportedly saw Avalon emerge with bleach and cleaning supplies before wiping down her Honda Odyssey—activity they believed was an attempt to destroy evidence.
Confronted by deputies, Avalon is said to have replied cryptically to questions about her ex-husband: “Which one?” Her ambiguous answer led authorities in Manatee County to alert their counterparts in Hillsborough County, where Avalon’s second ex-husband lived.
Officers in Tampa checked the man’s residence and, after finding signs of forced entry, discovered the second ex-husband dead from gunshot wounds. Officials said Avalon had voiced strong grievances against both men, including allegations of abuse and molestation, though investigators have not confirmed the accuracy of those accusations.
Neighbors and loved ones were left stunned by the violence. According to authorities, Avalon’s current boyfriend recalled a strange comment the day before the murders—she told him, “in case something happens to her, that she loves him,” an uncharacteristic farewell he didn’t understand at the time. He also reported seeing Avalon return home soaking wet, still dressed in the same gray sweatshirt captured in the Panera surveillance video.
Avalon was taken into custody in Citrus County and faces two charges of second-degree homicide. Investigators indicated they would seek an upgrade to first-degree murder and pursue the death penalty, pointing to evidence suggesting significant premeditation. The suspect remains held without bond as authorities continue to gather details about the events that led to the shocking killings.
As the investigation unfolds, officials say additional charges are possible in multiple jurisdictions. For now, two families are left mourning, and a once-peaceful community seeks answers amid an unfolding tragedy.