PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — New details released in Saturday’s Port St. Lucie murder-suicide revealed the victim was an emergency communications employee for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office who had been in a domestic relationship with the suspect for more than 30 years. The two shared an adult son who lived at the home.
The Port St. Lucie Police Department said Monday that the couple were never legally married but lived together at the home where the shooting occurred.
Investigators said the victim, Elizabeth Ortega, had ended the relationship. Despite the separation, Ortega and the suspect, Ralph Varela Sr., agreed to continue living together temporarily while Varela looked for another place to live.
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Police said there were no prior calls for domestic violence or domestic disturbances at the Port St. Lucie home.
According to investigators, Varela used an AR-style rifle to shoot Ortega at about 7:30 p.m. at their home on Southeast Oxmoor Terrace. Officers said 10 rounds were fired during the incident.
Police said Varela first shot Ortega inside the home. Surveillance video then allegedly showed Ortega running outside in an attempt to escape, but investigators said he continued shooting until she collapsed on the front lawn.
Elizabeth “Liz” Ortega, a former Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office emergency communications officer, was fatally shot Saturday at her Port St. Lucie home. Police said her longtime partner, Ralph Varela Sr., killed her with an AR-style rifle before taking his own life. (WPEC)
On Monday, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook that Ortega, who also went by Liz, worked in emergency communications with the agency.
In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office said:
Our Communications Division is deeply saddened to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Communications Officer Elizabeth “Liz” Ortega. Liz was the victim of a murder-suicide at her residence in Port St. Lucie this past weekend. She began her Emergency Communications career with the Greenacres Police Department in November 2001 and became a dedicated member of PBSO Emergency Communications following the merger in February 2016. She was a respected and cherished part of our PBSO family, known for her kindness, compassion and a warm smile that could brighten any room. Her son, Ralph Varela Jr., is a firefighter with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Please stand with us in supporting our PBSO and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue family during this time of profound loss. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Investigators said the couple’s son has been cooperating with the investigation. According to police, he was aware of his parents’ relationship but did not witness an argument or disturbance before leaving the home.