A man has been taken into custody for committing first-degree murder after authorities found his wife’s remains inside three suitcases in Florida last month, according to court documents.
The Delray Beach Police Department revealed that the suitcases were discovered in the Intracoastal Waterway on July 21, after someone called 911 to report suspicious objects in the area.
During the investigation, authorities described the remains as those of a “white or Hispanic middle-aged woman with brown hair, approximately 5’4″ tall.” Notably, one of the suitcases had a sticker with the name “Latam, MIA, Barbosa” on it, as stated in the probable cause affidavit.
The police traced the evidence, including surveillance footage, leading them to obtain a search warrant for the home of William Lowe, a 78-year-old resident of Delray Beach. According to court records, blood spatters were found throughout Lowe’s residence, including in the living room, dining room, and primary bathroom.
Further investigation of Lowe’s storage unit uncovered a chainsaw with apparent traces of blood and other human remains, according to the affidavit.
During questioning with the police, Lowe claimed that his wife, Aydil Barbosa Fontes, had been in Brazil for around three weeks. However, he couldn’t provide details about how she traveled to the airport, which airline she used, or when he last spoke to her.
Lowe appeared unfamiliar with two of the suitcases containing the victim’s remains when shown photographs, according to the affidavit. When asked about the sticker with his wife’s name on one of the suitcases, he reportedly had no explanation.
The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the victim’s identity through dental records, stating that she was Aydil Barbosa Fontes. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, classifying it as a homicide.
Subsequently, Lowe was arrested and booked into the Palm Beach County jail on charges of first-degree murder and abuse of a dead body, as documented in online jail records. He appeared in court and was denied bond.
Delray Beach Police Chief Russ Mager expressed gratitude to the community for providing crucial information that led to the arrest of the suspect involved in this “heinous crime.” During a press briefing, he stated the hope that their efforts would bring some sense of peace to the victim and her family. Information about Lowe’s attorney is not yet available.
