Pinellas Deputy, Ex-GF Dead After Hudson Kidnapping Ends In Murder-Suicide: Officials

SPRING HILL, FL — A Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputy and his ex-girlfriend are dead after an apparent kidnapping in Hudson ended with a murder-suicide in Spring Hill on Monday, authorities said.

Pasco County Sheriff's Office deputies initially responded to a report of an aggravated assault in the area of Phyllis Lane in Hudson just after 5:30 p.m. The incident was later classified as a kidnapping, the agency said in a news release.

Authorities identified the suspect as 47-year-old Troy Savetz, a Pinellas County deputy.

The incident began when the woman, who had been in an on-again, off-again relationship with Savetz, returned to her Hudson home with her two children, ages 9 and 12, after a beach trip, according to FOX 13 News.

Savetz was armed with a gun and began arguing with the woman over property, including a television he wanted returned, reports said.

The woman told her children to go inside the home and call 911.

Her daughter called 911, identifying Savetz as the suspect and a deputy, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco praised the girl for her actions during a Monday night news conference.

“The child was absolutely extremely brave in what she did and what she said,” Nocco reportedly said.

When deputies arrived at the home, Savetz and the woman were no longer there. The victim’s truck was open and her phone was left behind nearby.

Investigators determined Savetz had taken the woman with him in a rental vehicle.

Deputies attempted to contact the pair by phone and began searching for them after they were unable to make contact.

The search led deputies to the 16855 block of Platinum Drive in Spring Hill, where Savetz and the woman were found dead from gunshot wounds inside the rental car, investigators said.

The woman's name had not been released Monday night.

The children were not injured during the incident and were placed in the care of their biological father, authorities said.

Savetz had worked for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for approximately 14 years and was assigned to the agency's Marine Unit, according to WTSP.

Gualtieri reportedly said during the news conference that Savetz's actions weren’t representative of law enforcement.

"The moment this individual committed a crime, he was no longer a law enforcement officer. He was a criminal," he said.

The investigation remains active.

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