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NewsTelemundo 51 Miami – MainAugust 3, 2026Miami-Dade

Port St. Lucie Police identify victims in domestic homicide-suicide

Police have identified Elizabeth Ortega and Ralph Varela Sr., both 50, as the individuals involved in a fatal domestic homicide-suicide that occurred at a residence on Southwest Oxmoor Terrace. Investigators determined that Varela Sr. shot Ortega with an AR-style rifle before taking his own life inside the home.

public safetycrimePort St. Lucie
Read the full story at Telemundo 51 Miami – Main

Why It Matters

This incident marks a fatal domestic violence event in the Port St. Lucie community, currently under active investigation by local law enforcement.

Key Facts

  • Elizabeth Ortega and Ralph Varela Sr., both 50, died in a homicide-suicide incident.
  • The incident occurred at a residence in the 2000 block of Southwest Oxmoor Terrace.
  • The shooting took place on Saturday.
  • The perpetrator used an AR-style rifle to shoot the victim.
  • The victim attempted to escape to the front yard before collapsing.
  • The victim was transported by helicopter to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
  • The perpetrator was found dead inside the home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
  • The couple lived in the home with their adult son.
  • The adult son was away from the home picking up food at 7:30 p.m. when the incident began.
  • Police are currently conducting an active investigation into the case.

Who's Mentioned

locationPort St. Lucie“City where the incident occurred”other2000“Block number of the residence”other50“Age of the deceased individuals”personElizabeth Ortega“Victim of the homicide”locationSouthwest Oxmoor Terrace“Street where the incident occurred”organizationTelemundo 51“News outlet reporting the story”personRalph Varela Sr.“Perpetrator of the homicide-suicide”