DELTONA, FL – A domestic violence incident escalated into a tragic murder-suicide early Monday when a Deltona woman was fatally shot by her ex-husband, who later took his own life following a high-speed police chase that ended in a crash in Flagler County.
The victim, 38-year-old Ashley Vaia, was discovered deceased inside her home at approximately 2:22 a.m. by her child. Authorities quickly identified the suspect as her ex-husband, 33-year-old Samuel Vaia, who fled the scene in a white SUV.
Using vehicle detection technology, law enforcement tracked Vaia’s SUV traveling northbound on I-95 at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Multiple agencies deployed stop sticks, causing him to lose control and crash near Palm Harbor Parkway and Hammock Dunes Parkway at approximately 3:21 a.m.
Due to reports that Vaia was armed, dangerous, and wearing body armor, authorities approached the vehicle cautiously using drone surveillance. At approximately 5:15 a.m., SWAT officers found Vaia inside the wrecked SUV with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The tragedy occurred just one week after Vaia was arrested for domestic violence against Ashley. On March 23, he allegedly entered her bedroom, took her phone, accused her of infidelity, and forcibly restrained her to prevent her from calling 911. He was arrested and later released on a $2,000 bond.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed condolences, stating, “Time and time again, we see that domestic violence situations can escalate quickly and dangerously, with tragic consequences.”
For those experiencing domestic violence, confidential help is available through the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County at 386-257-2297 or www.dacvolusia.com. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is also available at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or via www.thehotline.org.
