Wilton Manors Police Identify Person Of Interest In Double Murder
WILTON MANORS (CBS4) - Wilton Manors Police have identified a person of interest in the murders of Stephen Adams and Mark Powell, but are not releasing any details because the investigation is ongoing.
Police said on Tuesday that they are holding Peter Serge Avsenew, 26, of Hollywood for violation of probation but they are not releasing Avsenew's connection to the victims.
Adams, 52, and Powell, 47, were found in their home at 2513 Northeast 8th Ave. early Sunday morning.
Neighbors said the two victims rented the home and had lived in Wilton Manors for under a year. An estimated 40 percent of nearly 13,000 residents in the Wilton manor area are gay.
According to the Sun Sentinel, the men were partners for 29 years.
A sister of one of the victims called police when her brother did not arrive at her home for the holidays. When Wilton Manors police went to the home to conduct a welfare check they found the two men dead inside.
Detectives learned Avsenew left the South Florida area and travelled to Dundee, Florida. On December 28th, Polk County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested Avsenew at a residence in the 100 block of West Main Street, Dundee, Florida.
The victims' car has been located in Winter Haven, Florida
Neighbor Mitch Geasler said the block where they live is transient, filled with snowbirds, renters and vacationers at a nearby bed and breakfast.
He told CBS4 News that one of the victims attended a cocktail party at his home recently while his partner searched for a missing bird. Geasler says the two victims were passionate about small birds they kept in a large tented aviary in their backyard.
Avsenew is currently being held at Polk County Jail without bond. Charges are pending.
If you have information about the crime call Broward Crimestoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.
