On October 23, 2018, Michael Edward Kurz, a 59-year-old Caucasian male, was found dead in an apartment in Tampa, Florida. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call around noon from a woman who had discovered the bodies of her husband, Michael Edward Kurz, and her son, 30-year-old Juan Luis Hernandez II. Upon arrival, deputies found that Juan Luis Hernandez II had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while Michael Edward Kurz had suffered deadly trauma.
The incident was classified as a murder-suicide, with Hernandez being the primary suspect in the death of his stepfather, Kurz.
The family had recently relocated to the Tampa area from St. Petersburg. There were no prior calls for service at the address involving either Hernandez or Kurz, indicating no known history of domestic disturbances at their residence. Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed his condolences and highlighted the tragic nature of the event, emphasizing the impact of family violence. He also encouraged individuals in need of crisis intervention to reach out to The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, which operates a 24/7 helpline.
The investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office concluded that Juan Luis Hernandez II was responsible for the death of Michael Edward Kurz before taking his own life. There were no further arrests, suspects, or litigations related to this case, as the primary suspect was deceased. The incident underscored the importance of addressing mental health and family violence issues within the community.
