Mayline Valle Cardona, a 37-year-old mother of two, tragically lost her life on June 10, 2016, in Winter Haven, Florida. The incident occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m. at her residence located at 4019 Vista Del Lago Drive. According to reports, Cardona was shot multiple times by her estranged boyfriend, 51-year-old Jose Hernandez-Acevedo. Witnesses recounted that Hernandez-Acevedo was seen speaking to one of Cardona's children outside the apartment before making a phone call and running
towards the main office of the property. Shortly after, Cardona arrived home and parked her vehicle. Witnesses then heard three to four gunshots followed by screams. Hernandez-Acevedo was seen standing over Cardona, firing numerous times, striking her in the head and body. He reloaded his weapon and continued to shoot, with officers later recovering more than 30 bullet casings at the scene.
Following the shooting, Hernandez-Acevedo fled the scene in a silver vehicle. He was later found deceased at the Lake Fannie boat ramp, having died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident was classified as a murder-suicide by the Winter Haven Police Department. Cardona's two children, aged 12 and 13, were present in the apartment during the shooting but did not witness the actual event. They were subsequently turned over to family members who arrived at the scene.
The investigation into the murder-suicide revealed that Hernandez-Acevedo had been disturbed by something, although the exact motive behind the shooting remains unclear. The case drew significant attention from the local community, with many expressing their grief and shock over the tragic event. The Winter Haven Police Department continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, but no further arrests or litigations were reported in connection with the case.
