Crime & Safety

Holiday Man Involved in Murder-Suicide

Two bodies were found in a Target parking lot last night in Wesley Chapel.

A Holiday man and a Tampa woman are dead following what the Pasco County Sheriff's Office has classified as a murder-suicide.

According to the sheriff’s office, Armando Troconis, 65, of Holiday and Elizabeth Behrens, 59, of Tampa were discovered dead in a car last night, Aug. 9. Their bodies were found just before 8 p.m. at the Wesley Chapel , 1201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Kevin Doll said the two were married to other people but were apparently estranged from their spouses.

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Preliminary information indicates a murder-suicide. Police believe Troconis shot Behrens in the car with a handgun and then shot himself.

According to Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco, Behrens told Troconis she wanted to break off their relationship and go back to her spouse. It is unclear if she told him this before the two arrived at Target or after.

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Deputies worked the crime scene into the late evening hours as curiosity seekers gathered in the parking lot.

"It's unfortunate," Nocco said. "It's horrific. We don't want it happening again."

The case remains under investigation.

Stay with Patch for updates as they become available.


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