Florida Man Allegedly Murdered Missing Ex-Wife He Was Reportedly Dating

A Florida man allegedly murdered his missing ex-wife with whom he was still in a relationship despite their divorce two years prior, according to authorities.

George Morariu, 60, was arrested Friday on a third-degree murder charge in connection to the death of 62-year-old Andelka Morariu, the St. Petersburg Police said in a release issued last week. Andelka's family reported her missing after they learned that she did not show up for work on March 2, according to police.

During the course of the investigation, George had told police that his ex-wife — with whom he lived — left their home on February 28 and never returned, but surveillance footage apparently contradicted those claims. 

According to police, Adelka was captured on video entering their shared home on February 28 and never leaving, and George was filmed that same day — mere hours after Andelka’s entrance — transporting a large object from the home and placing it into the trunk of Andelka’s car, the release states.

When police searched the couple’s residence and their two cars, they discovered “biological evidence” that they said is linked to Andelka, according to the release. While police did not elaborate on what that evidence is, officials have confirmed that the medical examiner’s office has issued a death certificate for Andelka and named her cause of death as homicide.

George and Andelka were divorced in 2018, but at the time of her disappearance, the two were in a relationship and lived together, Andelka’s great-nephew told local outlet WFLA last month. An unnamed neighbor of the couple told the station that the pair were often heard arguing.

Another unnamed neighbor claimed that it was his doorbell camera that captured George placing a blanket or tarp into the trunk of a car, and then transporting something else to the trunk during a second trip, Bay News 9 reported last month. When questioned by the station, police stated that they were unable to comment because the investigation was still active.

George remains still in custody as he awaits trial, according to online records from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Police have stated that the case is “very active and ongoing” and have asked that anyone with information pertaining to Andelka’s death place a call to their non-emergency line at ‪727-893-7780 or submit an anonymous tip by texting “SPPD” to TIP-411.