By Monica Galarza, Christian Colón and Brian Hamacher —
NBC Miami
Authorities believe they have found the body of a Homestead woman who went missing after her car was stolen at gunpoint on camera in central Florida, and they are searching for the suspects involved in her murder.
Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas was kidnapped Thursday after a witness recorded an armed suspect pointing a gun at her at an intersection in Winter Springs, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office reported.
The woman, 31, had left Homestead earlier that day and drove north in a white Dodge Durango until reaching Seminole County.
While driving, a green Acura car rear-ended him. She called her husband and told him that someone was following her and had hit her, Seminole Sheriff Dennis Lemma told reporters at a news conference Friday.
The husband told her not to stop, but neither of them called 911, Lemma said.
Video taken by someone in another car and released by the sheriff's office showed an armed suspect in a black hoodie, wearing what appears to be a Halloween mask or balaclava and dark clothing approaching the Durango from the Acura at the intersection. .
The suspect pointed a gun at the driver and entered the Durango through the rear driver's side door. Authorities believe the gunman forced Guerrero De Aguasvivas to continue driving while he pointed a gun at her.
“It's incredibly terrifying to see the audacity of this suspect, this perpetrator, getting out of a car, wearing a hoodie, carrying a gun in broad daylight, getting into the vehicle,” Lemma said.
Authorities said the Durango continued moving toward Osceola County toward a construction area.
“I suspect where they told him to go is somewhere they had been before, they seemed very familiar with that area over there. I don't think this is just a random, 'Hey, get off the road,'” Lemma said.
Less than two hours after the incident, police received a call about a vehicle on fire in the construction area. Upon arrival, authorities found the vehicle on fire, believed to be the Durango, with a body inside.
Authorities believe the body found inside is Guerrero De Aguasvivas, although they are awaiting official confirmation from DNA or dental records.
Investigators also found a dozen bullet casings at the scene, Lemma said. The casings are from 10 mm bullets, consistent with the weapon used in the car theft, she explained.
Authorities are trying to determine a motive for the killing, but Lemma explained that it appears the occupants of the Acura knew who they were targeting.
“There are a lot of unknowns, a lot of things that will leave people scratching their heads and I think the biggest one is why, because this is not just a random incident,” Lemma said. “Why didn't she and her husband call 911? Don't know".
Lemma said Guerrero De Aguasvivas and her husband are associated with two businesses in South Florida, a barbershop and a beauty salon.
“There is no criminal record here for either Katherine or her husband in the United States. "There is no clear indicator of why someone would do this, why they would attack them," Lemma said.
Authorities said Guerrero De Aguasvivas' husband was providing them with information. Lemma said they don't know why she was in Central Florida, but she said her husband claimed to investigators that he was visiting her family.
“The initial report we were given was that Katherine was traveling to Central Florida to visit family. We don't know any family members who live in Central Florida,” Lemma said.
Friends of the Florida City salon were shocked to learn of the incident on Friday. At Guerrero De Aguasvivas' house, the neighbors were also stunned by the news.
“She is a good girl, her husband and her family,” said neighbor Miguel Rivera.
Investigators are trying to find the Acura or its occupants. According to SCSO, the armed suspect is believed to be a white or Hispanic male. The second suspect, also believed to be a white or Hispanic male, was allegedly driving the green Acura.
“Clearly they should be considered armed and dangerous people. Do not confront them yourself, contact the authorities,” Lemma asked.
Authorities said if anyone sees the Acura, they should not approach it, but rather call 911 or contact the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.