Tragic Shooting in Florida Leaves Young Mother Dead: Prank Gone Awry or Premeditated Murder?
Aug 07, 2023, 09:00 PM
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A young woman was shot dead in her car in the early hours of July 20 in Hillsborough County, Florida. The victim, identified as 22-year-old Ashley Voss, a mother of two young boys, was allegedly killed by 32-year-old Aurelio Diaz, Jr., in what authorities are now investigating as a case of premeditated murder in the first degree.
According to law enforcement officials, the fatal incident occurred shortly after a text message exchange between Ashley Voss and her children's father, who is also a close friend of the suspect. The conversation reportedly turned dark when the witness, the father, whose identity remains undisclosed, claimed he had planned a prank that went tragically wrong.
Law enforcement arrived at the scene after a 911 call ended in silence. Nearly 21 minutes later, they discovered Ashley Voss's lifeless body slumped over in the front seat of her silver Nissan Altima, parked in her grandmother's driveway. She had suffered a single gunshot wound to the back, and the rear window of her car had been shattered.
Detectives managed to access her phone, revealing a text message exchange with the father of her younger child. According to their investigation, the conversation paused temporarily around 1:14 a.m. and resumed at 1:27 a.m., but this time, without any response from the victim.
Surveillance footage from the vicinity also played a crucial role in the investigation. The footage captured two men walking around the area between 12:20 a.m. and 1:14 a.m., with one man seen beside the victim's car discharging a firearm before fleeing the scene.
During the initial interviews with law enforcement, the father of the victim's younger child admitted to being in the area with the suspect that night. He initially identified himself and Diaz in one of the surveillance videos but not in the footage capturing the shooting.
However, a twist emerged when the witness-father revealed a shocking intention behind their visit to Voss' neighborhood. He claimed they planned a prank involving the defendant defecating on the victim's front porch. He adamantly asserted that there was no discussion of harming or killing Ashley Voss and that the act was meant to be a harmless joke.
In a controlled phone call recorded by law enforcement, Diaz allegedly confessed to the child’s father, saying, "I did it just like I told you, walked up to the back window, and boom."
However, Ashley Voss's grieving family members find the prank explanation dubious. Rhonda Voss, Ashley’s grandmother, and caretaker of her surviving children, emphasized that Diaz had no motive to commit such a heinous act, as he barely knew the victim. She also expressed concerns about the alleged threats made by the children's father regarding an ongoing child support issue.
Diaz remains detained in the Hillsborough County jail without bond.
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According to law enforcement officials, the fatal incident occurred shortly after a text message exchange between Ashley Voss and her children's father, who is also a close friend of the suspect. The conversation reportedly turned dark when the witness, the father, whose identity remains undisclosed, claimed he had planned a prank that went tragically wrong.
Law enforcement arrived at the scene after a 911 call ended in silence. Nearly 21 minutes later, they discovered Ashley Voss's lifeless body slumped over in the front seat of her silver Nissan Altima, parked in her grandmother's driveway. She had suffered a single gunshot wound to the back, and the rear window of her car had been shattered.
Detectives managed to access her phone, revealing a text message exchange with the father of her younger child. According to their investigation, the conversation paused temporarily around 1:14 a.m. and resumed at 1:27 a.m., but this time, without any response from the victim.
Surveillance footage from the vicinity also played a crucial role in the investigation. The footage captured two men walking around the area between 12:20 a.m. and 1:14 a.m., with one man seen beside the victim's car discharging a firearm before fleeing the scene.
During the initial interviews with law enforcement, the father of the victim's younger child admitted to being in the area with the suspect that night. He initially identified himself and Diaz in one of the surveillance videos but not in the footage capturing the shooting.
However, a twist emerged when the witness-father revealed a shocking intention behind their visit to Voss' neighborhood. He claimed they planned a prank involving the defendant defecating on the victim's front porch. He adamantly asserted that there was no discussion of harming or killing Ashley Voss and that the act was meant to be a harmless joke.
In a controlled phone call recorded by law enforcement, Diaz allegedly confessed to the child’s father, saying, "I did it just like I told you, walked up to the back window, and boom."
However, Ashley Voss's grieving family members find the prank explanation dubious. Rhonda Voss, Ashley’s grandmother, and caretaker of her surviving children, emphasized that Diaz had no motive to commit such a heinous act, as he barely knew the victim. She also expressed concerns about the alleged threats made by the children's father regarding an ongoing child support issue.
Diaz remains detained in the Hillsborough County jail without bond.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com