HIALEAH GARDENS, Fla. – A Hialeah Gardens man is accused of killing his spouse by blowing up their vehicle.
Neighbors like Miguel Hernandez say an explosion woke him out of his sleep earlier in February.
“We heard explosions, some screams,” Hernandez said.
Nearby home surveillance video captured the explosion, which Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies said was caused by an “unknown incendiary device or improvised explosive device.” Hernandez said he heard screams as the victim was being burned alive.
11 p.m. report:
According to MDSO, it happened just after 6 a.m. on Feb. 1 in the 8800 block of Northwest 114th Terrace in Hialeah Gardens, outside of the home of suspect Noel Ruiz-Mestre.
Investigators say the couple got into a fight and the victim tried getting out of the car before it was intentionally set on fire,
Miami-Dade fire crews found the victim in the front passenger seat, dead and “burned beyond recognition.”
Police said Ruiz-Mestre, 50, called 911 after stabbing himself in the stomach multiple times. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and also suffered burns from the explosion.
Ruiz-Mestre is facing second-degree murder and arson charges and remained hospitalized as of Tuesday.
The victim has not been publicly identified.