Port St. Lucie Police have identified Elizabeth Ortega and Ralph Varela Sr., both 50, as the victim and suspect in a domestic-related murder-suicide that occurred Saturday evening at a home in the 2000 block of Southeast Oxmoor Terrace. Officers responded around 7:40 p.m. Saturday after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting possible gunshots and a domestic disturbance.
Investigation revealed that Varela and Ortega were involved in a long-term cohabitation domestic relationship and lived together with their adult son. The couple was in the process of separating. On Saturday, the adult son left the residence to pick up dinner from a local restaurant. Investigators said there was no known argument or disturbance inside the home before he left.
Investigators believe that at some point after the son left the home, Varela began shooting Ortega with an AR-style .223 caliber rifle inside the home. Home surveillance video obtained by police shows that Ortega was trying to flee from the house into the front yard while Varela continued to fire at her before she collapsed. The video shows that after the shooting, Varela went back into the house.
Responding officers found Ortega suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was airlifted to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, where she was later pronounced deceased. Varela was found inside the house, where he appeared to have died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue processing evidence and awaiting the final results from the Medical Examiners Office. Police said the incident appears to be isolated and there is no known threat to the public.