ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A potential “prolific serial killer” was arrested Friday in Orange County after he was connected to the deaths of two women over the last two months, according to Sheriff John Mina.
At a Monday morning news conference, Mina said 25-year-old Carlos Yadiel Baez Nieves was arrested in the deaths of Fatia Flowers, 41, and Nichole Daniels, 44, who were found dead in March and April, respectively.
“I’m very confident because of our detectives’ relentless efforts in this case that they stopped Baez Nieves from becoming a prolific serial killer,” Mina said. “He targeted women he clearly thought would not be missed.”
Mina said Flowers and Daniels were transients, and he offered them money for sex before strangling them and leaving their bodies by the side of the road near the same intersection — Trevarthon Road and Harrel Road.
Mina said deputies were able to catch Baez Nieves because he was trying to sell a white Ford F-150 pickup truck — the same pickup Nichole Daniels was seen getting into at a gas station on North Econlockhatchee Trail the night before she was found dead.
Mina said Baez Nieves confessed to the deaths. He’s being held without bond at the Orange County jail.
. @SheriffMina: “I’m confident that through their vigilance in these cases, our detectives have prevented Baez-Nieves from becoming a prolific serial killer.
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) April 29, 2024
He clearly targeted women he thought wouldn’t be missed. He murdered them and dumped them on the side of the road like… pic.twitter.com/J8X2y0AR3C
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