TAMPA, FL – A man is facing first-degree murder charges following the death of a woman he allegedly beat in December, marking a tragic turn in a case that shocked the community.
On December 26, 2024, deputies in Hillsborough County responded to reports of a violent attack at the University Area Park in Tampa. They discovered a severely injured woman who had been brutally assaulted and robbed.
Surveillance footage from the incident showed Antonio Gueits, 18, approaching the victim and striking her in the face, causing her to collapse. He then proceeded to stomp on her head multiple times, resulting in severe injuries including broken bones and a brain bleed, before fleeing the scene with her purse.
Following the attack, the victim, Cerida Charon, 65, remained hospitalized for months until her unfortunate passing on March 16, 2025, at Morton Plant Hospital. An autopsy later confirmed that her cause of death was complications from blunt force head trauma, ruling her death as a homicide.
In light of this development, Gueits was charged with first-degree murder on March 17, 2025, in addition to several other charges including robbery, aggravated battery, and tampering with physical evidence. Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed outrage at the senseless nature of the attack, vowing to hold Gueits fully accountable for his actions.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to uncover more details surrounding the heinous crime and ensure that justice is served for the victim and her loved ones.