Auburndale Man Charged With 1st-Degree Murder In Wife's Death

AUBURNDALE, FL – Polk County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested an Auburndale man and charged him with first-degree murder in the death of his wife.

On Tuesday, Oct. 2, detectives arrested 50-year-old Randolph Maya of Dixie Highway for the strangling death of his wife, 50-year-old Jodi Maya.

On Sunday, Sept. 30 around 7:40 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a 911 call about a disturbance at the Mayas’ Auburndale home.

When deputies arrived, they met Randolph Maya at the front door and he told deputies that nothing was going on and that they weren't needed. In the background, however, deputies could hear a witness crying. Another witness who lives in the home then approached deputies and said, “I think she’s dead.”

Deputies found Jodi Maya slumped over in a bathroom, unresponsive. CPR was performed and she was transported to Winter Haven Hospital. Her heart stopped beating several times during the transport and when she was admitted to the hospital.

She died at 6:55 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 1. An autopsy on Oct. 2 ruled her cause of death asphyxiation and the manner of death a homicide.

During interviews, one of the witnesses in the home told deputies she heard Jodi Maya scream, "He's going to kill me.” Then everything went quiet, The bathroom door was open a crack and the witness said she could see Randolph Maya standing between his wife’s legs and leaning on her as she sat on the toilet.

The witness went back to her room and called 911. She then returned to the bathroom and found Jodi Maya by herself and unconscious.

Randolph told deputies that his wife lost consciousness due to high blood pressure.

He had no explanation for his swollen left eye, a bite mark on his wrist or the bruising on the victim’s neck upper arm and thigh.

Maya was originally booked into the Polk County Jail Oct. 1 on charges of attempted murder and probation violation. The charge was upgraded to first-degree murder after the autopsy on Tuesday.

This wasn't the first time sheriff's deputies visited the Maya home. On Sept. 14, they were called about a disturbance. However, Jodi Maya told deputies that she had not been battered.

"October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we are sad to report that we're already investigating a domestic-related murder on the first day of the month,” said Polk Sheriff Grady Judd. “Please, if you are in a dangerous situation, get out and get help before things escalate. There are so many resources out there to assist victims of domestic violence."

Image via Polk Sheriff

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