In a harrowing series of events early morning in Volusia County, 38-year-old Ashley Vaia was found dead following a domestic violence incident, with her ex-husband, 33-year-old Samuel Vaia, identified as the shooter. According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a shooting on Parma Drive in Deltona shortly before 2:30 a.m., where a child found her mother lifeless in their home, as WFTV reported.
The suspect fled the scene in a white SUV, leading to a high-speed chase that extended into Flagler County. With assistance from several law enforcement agencies, and after deploying stop sticks, a sheriff's office helicopter tracking from above, the vehicle crashed and overturned around 3:21 a.m. near Palm Harbor Parkway and Hammock Dunes Parkway, stated FOX 35 Orlando. Samuel Vaia was extracted from the wreckage and was later pronounced dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Before this incident, Samuel Vaia had been arrested on a battery charge involving his ex-wife last Sunday after accusing her of infidelity. Ashley Vaia had reported that despite their attempts at reconciliation and a shared custody agreement that gave Samuel access to her home, he had assaulted her. She attempted to call 911 but could not as Samuel reportedly covered her mouth, ClickOrlando reported. He was released on bond the day after his arrest.
