ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest following a woman’s “suspicious death” after they found her body with possible stab wounds, described in a news release as “sharp force injuries,” during a well-being check.
Investigators were called Wednesday afternoon to a home at 240 Orange Grove Drive No. 2 to check on Elizabeth Crisanti, 62, after she did not pick up her grandchildren from school, records show.
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On Sunday, deputies took into custody Nelson Rivera, Crisanti’s boyfriend.
Rivera was charged with first-degree murder and will have his first appearance in court at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
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When investigators arrived at the house, Crisanti did not answer the door and a family member with a key allowed deputies inside, investigators said. The deputies said they found Crisanti dead in her bed.
Also on the bed was Rivera. Records show he was unresponsive and may have overdosed on prescription medication. He was taken to the hospital, but was transported from there on Sunday to Volusia County Jail.
Deputies said the investigation into Crisanti’s murder revealed evidence that she was fearful of Rivera, who was described as extremely controlling, and that she was planning an exit strategy from the relationship.
At the scene of the murder, detectives found signs of a struggle, but no sign of any forced entry into the residence, which was locked when deputies arrived for a well-being check and found the couple inside.