Arrest Made in Double Homicide

A 46-year-old homeless man has been charged in the deaths of a man and woman whose bodies were found at a vacant Chevron station on Saturday morning.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Ricky Fitzgerald Hathorn has been charged with first degree felony murder, sexual battery with a deadly weapon and second degree murder with a weapon. He is accused of sexually assaulting Lara Kuchar, 45, and then killing her. He is also accused of slaying Kucher’s companion Tommy Skeens, 52.

Deputies say Hathron admitted to beating the victims. A large piece of blood-soaked wood was found at the crime scene. Investigators also found evidence that indicated a sexual assault on Kuchar.

During their investigation, detectives learned that “a few days earlier, Hathorn had made advances to Kuchar and she declined,” an email from the agency stated.

Kuchar and Skeens’ bodies were found in an abandoned gas station at 7702 E. Hillsborough Ave. around 7:26 a.m. Saturday.

Hathorn has been booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.

Booking photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office