Ohio fugitive, family sought in Miami motel murder

MIAMI - Florida police are searching for an Ohio man - along with his wife and her daughter - after another man was found dead at the Miami motel where they were staying.

CBS Miami reports that the body of Joseph Moniz, 46, was found in a pool of blood Saturday morning in a room at the Sunshine Inn Motel.

Dayanelis Vazquez, who lives nearby, said Moniz was naked when he was found.

Police are looking for Michael Evans, 30, who was already wanted for escaping and eluding police in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Evans reportedly skipped town while under house arrest while awaiting trial for allegedly attacking a man with a hammer. A relative said Evans cut his ankle monitor and took off with his wife and stepdaughter.

His wife Kristy, 34, and her daughter, 7-year-old Jala Barnett, were reported missing and endangered in Ohio on May 7, but were reportedly staying at the Miami motel with Evans.

Police have not said why they believe Evans is linked to Moniz's killing, or what the cause of death was.

Moniz had an arrest record that includes cocaine possession, grand theft and possession of marijuana.

Police believe Evans and his family may be traveling in a stolen 2005 blue Audi A4 convertible with Florida license plate BDK6156.

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