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Real Estate Agent Turned Suspected Serial Killer Charged In Murders Of Miami Homeless Men
Cryptocurrency and Porsche lover Willy Maceo has been charged with the first-degree murders of homeless men Manuel Perez and Jerome Antonio Price as well as the attempted murder of Jorge Gardines.
Officials in Florida have formally charged a former real estate agent for the murders of multiple men.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced on Friday that 25-year-old Willy Maceo has been formally charged with first degree murder in the October death of 59-year-old Manuel Perez and the December death of Jerome Antonio Price, 56. He’s also been charged with the attempted murder of a third victim named 58-year-old Jorge Gardines, an attack that also occurred in December.
“These types of homicides are best known as serial killings,” Rundle said at a press conference.
Police arrested Maceo back in December after police tied him to the two December attacks. At a press conference by the Miami Police Department, officials identified Maceo as “very dangerous” and a “suspected serial killer” who allegedly targeted homeless victims. The motive behind the killing spree is not yet clear.
All the victims were homeless and all had been shot and in an execution-style manner, the Daily Beast reported last year.
Officials believe Maceo, who is being held without bond, may also have attacked others.
Ron Book, chairman of the Florida Homeless Trust said during Friday's news conference that the three victims "weren't doing any harm to anybody.”
“Men who sleep outdoors in our community, these are some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” Rundle said.
The suspected serial killer was listed as a licensed real estate broker working for Century 21. On his Facebook page, he described himself as a “Life Development Leader.” Both his Facebook and Instagram page were focused on status-symbols like Porsches — an entire section of his Instagram was devoted to his "CEO Lifestyle" — and cryptocurrency.
His court-appointed lawyer, Kendal Rinko, has argued that evidence against Maceo — both video and ballistics — is all circumstantial.
“Mr. Maceo is never seen carrying out the shooting,” Rinko told Circuit Court Judge Alberto Milian last year, Local 10 reported.
