A Haines City man is accused of beating his wife to death–then trying to conceal the crime. Fifty-one-year old Victor Prado is charged with premeditated murder and tampering with evidence after an incident that began at the couple’s home on Milestone Drive Thursday night.
Haines City Police said Prado eventually admitted to beating his wife against a wall until she collapsed on the floor. He then ransacked the home to make the scene look like a home invasion. After that, the arrest affidavit explains Prado grabbed his wife’s phone and sent a text message to their son to appear it came from the murder victim, Lourdes Terado. The text message indicated there had been a robbery and an attack and that the mother was dying. When the son called 911 and help arrived, it was too late to save the victim.
Prado had left the scene, police said, to appear he was not at home during the event. When he returned questioning began. While police said Prado admitted to his involvement, they said the suspect did not show any signs of remorse.
“He’s been very antsy, I don’t think we’ve seen any remorsefulness or anything like that,” Captain Brian McNulty said. “His reaction has not been typical of when you lose a loved one or family member.”
McNulty explained the couple’s marriage had turned sour weeks back when the husband found out his wife made contact with an old boyfriend. Police believe the Prado had planned the attack on his wife for weeks.
Those who live and work near the home were shocked to hear what happened there, describing the couple as friendly and the kind who never revealed any tension in the marriage.
“I never expected that out of 109,” lawn worker James Williams said, referring to the couple’s address.
Prado has no criminal record. He’s charged with Premeditated Murder and Tampering. He’s being held in the Polk County Jail.
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