Who is Russell Cote? Suspect in Sarasota quadruple murder identified, tied to Fort Lauderdale double homicide
Man allegedly killed four people in Sarasota, Floridahas been identified as Russell Kot. The 51-year-old man also has double homicide in Fort Lauderdale, according to the FOX 13 Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sarasota victims have been identified as Olga Greinert, 49; Florita Stolyar, 66; Anatoly Yov, 61; and Yaroslav Blyudoy, 39, the Herald-Tribune reported. All next of kin have been notified.
Who is Russell Cote?
Officials said Cote died of a self-inflicted wound after being suspected of foul play, according to a preliminary investigation. Investigators said he had no known history of mental health crises and no past experience history of violence.
A motive for the shooting has not yet been determined. However, investigators said the suspect had a previous relationship with one of the victims in Fort Lauderdale. The victim has ties to the Sarasota County victim.
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The investigation is ongoing.
shooting
According to investigators, around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, a neighbor called 911 to report that a man had been shot at a home in the Amberley community near Proctor and McIntosh roads.
According to Fox 13, the unidentified neighbor said during the 911 call: “I don’t know. I heard a loud bang earlier and I thought someone dropped something, and then I walked outside and saw my neighbor Tony lying on the ground, his house was open, and his stomach was covered in blood.”
When officers arrived, they found a neighbor performing CPR on a man in the front yard. The victim was identified as Love, the homeowner.
Deputies moved Love to another location, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Sarasota County Fire Department crews then took over.
Neighbors told deputies that Love’s wife may be inside the home. When they entered, they found the bodies of two men and two women.
Detectives said the Fort Lauderdale Police Department told them they believed there was a double homicide that may be related to the Sarasota murders. Police noted that Cote was caught on camera driving north through Punta Gorda before the Sarasota killing.
Detectives, working with Amberlea HOA representatives and neighbors, obtained video of the suspect’s vehicle entering the community at 11:01 a.m. A short time later, a neighbor’s ring camera captured the sound of gunfire.
Less than 40 minutes later, the man, who was found on the front lawn, was seen driving into the community, SCSO said. Deputies claim Love walked to the door and was shot.
“There was blood everywhere. I didn’t see any weapons,” the neighbor said in the 911 call.
No one was seen entering or leaving the house after that.
Cote was one of four people found dead in their Sarasota home. His vehicle was found nearby, according to deputies.
“It makes you think hard. I just feel bad for the families. I feel really bad,” said Vanessa Epperson, who lives nearby.
